Skip to main content

Nomad

You know I like a series and the work an author produces when I'm willing to order the books from the UK because they are just not available in the US. In fact, when  it comes to R.J. Anderson's Faery books I pre-order them. The wait for Nomad seemed eternal because I have been waiting for it ever since the day I finished reading Swift (my thoughts). It was worth every minute of the wait.

Synopsis:
Exiled from her underground home by Betony, the jealous queen of the piskeys, Ivy sets out to make a new life for herself in the world above – a quest that leads her to mystery, adventure, and a hoard of spriggan treasure. But a deadly poison still lingers in the Delve, and Ivy cannot bear to see her people dying under Betony’s rule.
With the help of some old friends she sets out to warn the piskeys of their danger, urging them to rise up and free themselves before it is too late. Yet Betony will not give up her kingdom without a fight... and when her evil threatens the friends and family Ivy holds most dear, it will take all Ivy’s courage, daring and determination to save them.


As Ivy's story continues, she is still the fierce stubborn girl, but her experiences have changed her too. She is slightly more cautious and has learned to be far more careful in trusting people. Her spirit and conviction remain strong, and though she suffers staggering set backs in her plans to save her people, she never gives up. She gathers around her people who are willing to help even if some of that help is not given for free. While figuring it out how to rescue the rest of the piskeys and save her others close to her in danger, Ivy is also struggling with her relationship with Martin. Can he be trusted? Should she care as much about him as she does? And why is she suddenly having dreams about spriggans of the yesteryear? Martin's character takes an even more central role in this story as the secrets of his past are revealed. His character grows a lot as he begins to look for the keys to his past, attempt to trust Ivy and not betray her trust in turn, and face up to the mistakes of his past. I loved what Anderson did with his character, how she grew him, showed his vulnerability and weaknesses, and gave him the opportunity for redemption. 

There are two threads of story in this novel. One is the story of the piskeys and the poison taking over their home. Ivy risks much to save her people, most of whom don't even know they need to be saved. The accepting nature of the piskeys and the way they trust everything their leader tells them, even when evidence is mounting against it is just as frustrating for the reader as it is for Ivy. (This is a talent of Anderson's and the one that makes her a favorite of mine. She really draws you into her characters lives and makes you feel what they are feeling.) As Ivy struggles to secure allies and work against her Aunt things get dangerous and people begin to be hurt. Betony is a perfect picture of how power run amok is one of the most dangerous forces there is. The other story being told here comes through dreams and visions Ivy is having of spriggans in the past due to her special connection with Martin. The bloody history of the faerys, piskeys, and spriggans is shown through these visions and we get a glimpse into how they came to be as separate as they are. These visions are important for more than just their insight into the past too. (Loved this part.) Throughout all of this there is also the developing relationship between Ivy and Martin, which was, if I'm being completely honest, my favorite part of the book. Through their dialogue and interactions, Anderson brought in the essential humor that kept the story being all serous. (Accidental marriage proposals are always entertaining.) More importantly though their relationship makes both of them face unpleasant truths about themselves and highlights the sort of people they are, how far they are willing to go to help those who matter to them. 

I'm sad that this may be the last of the faery books. As far as I know, it is. I could read dozens of these books and never grow tired of being in this world Anderson created and learning about the people who inhabit it.

Comments

April said…
Is this a continuation of her other fairy books? I need to read them and want to!
Brandy said…
It is the second half of the story began in Swift. They share characters with the first trilogy including one of my favs. (Martin) You own them right? I think I bought them for you, but maybe I just intended to?

Popular posts from this blog

Favorite Kissing Scenes

When thinking of a favorite things post I could do for February I decided it would have to be kissing. I've already done couples and I was feeling in the mood to do something fluffy and Valentine's related. So kisses it is. I read more MG than YA, and the YA I read tends to not focus on romance so this was actually harder than I expected it to be though a few jumped into my head right away. (And one of my choices does actually come from a MG book. One is adult. Gasp!) The actual scene from the book is quoted followed by my thoughts. The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a bride and a groom. It was a kiss between a man and his wife, and when it was over, the king closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the hollow of the queen's shoulder, like a man seeking respite, like a man reaching home at the end of the day . - The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner Turner doesn't write the

TTT: Most Recent Additions to My TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly themed blog hop created by  The Broke and the Bookish  and now hosted at  That Artsy Reader Girl . This Week's Topic: Most Recent Additions to My TBR List From Most Recent to Least: What books have recently caught your eye?

This Side of Home

What attracted me to This Side of Home by Renee Watson was the cover. The story hooked my interest. The characters made me fall in love. Maya has lived her entire life in the same neighborhood in Portland hanging out with the same group of friends: her twin sister Nikki, their best friend Essence, and Ronnie, Malachi, and Devin-three boys her father mentors. They have plans for the future that involve each other: prom, college, life. But things in their neighborhood are changing. People are moving in and starting new businesses. Property values are going up as a result. In addition to change, this is also causing trouble. Essence has to move out of her  house when the owner decides he can make more money selling it than renting it. The racial demographics of the school, which has been mostly African American, is shifting. This presents new challenges and choices for Maya and her friends. It brings new people into their lives at the same time. Maya has to figure out how-and if-she wa

Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak  by Robert Beatty is a thrilling tale of mystery and adventure set at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC in 1899. Having lived in Asheville and visited the house several times, there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to read this. (Also it's MG fantasy, always a bonus for me.) Serafina lives in secret in the basement of the Vanderbilt's spacious vacation home. She has lived there most of her life. Her father worked on the house as it was being built and is the mechanic who runs the massive generator and keeps the electricity going. Serafina is the chief rat catcher, slipping through the halls of her massive home secretly and quietly. She is light on her feet, sees well in the dark, and is quick enough to catch the vermin and keep them out. Serafina knows she if different and strange. Her father insists she stay hidden. But all that changes when one night Serafina witnesses a horrible crime. A little girl, a guest in the house, is fleein

Shorter Musings MG Fantasy

Here are some shorter musings on recent MG fantasy reads. Anya and the Dragon   by Sofiya Pasternack This book is fun. It is a book full of adventure, an obvious bad guy, some more complicated morally gray area characters, and a strong, brave heroine. It is also a book about friendships, community, and fighting for what is right. All things that usually work for me really well. While I enjoyed this, I did feel it was a little overlong and there were certain plot points at the end I didn't love. However, there were things I thought were done really well, such as Anya's Jewish faith and the idea that power needs to be challenged. In the end it was a middle of the road read for me, but it is one I will certainly be recommending to dragon and fantasy adventure lovers I know! R is for Rebel   by J. Anderson Coats This is tough because I usually really like Coats's books. I had such a hard time with this one though on so many levels. It's difficult to get into because t