The Court of the Air
by Stephen Hunt
On a planet far away, which seems like a twisted echo of our own during the early 19th century, is the Land of
Jackals, and at its heart the great capital city of Middlesteel. Here live Molly Templar, an orphan at the Sun
Gate Workhouse, and Oliver Brooks, another orphan who lives with his uncle. They sound ordinary enough, but there
is something about both of them that has assassins and hired guns out to catch them. When everybody in the
orphanage is found butchered, and Oliver comes home to find both his uncle and servant dead, it is time to go on
the run. And what adventures they are going to have before the final page...
If this isn’t the best fantasy novel I will read this year I will count myself lucky indeed to have more than
one such treat. An aerial navy, a kingdom ruled by sentient machines (surely the most appealing characters in
this book, too), an alternative court floating high above the city, ancient ruins, forgotten gods and adventures
on every page. It’s quite a big book too, but when I came to the end of it I felt as if I was saying goodbye to a
friend. Hunt has made a very well-realized world which although not ground breakingly original, gives the reader
more the feeling that it stands on the shoulders of giants rather than that any appropriating has gone on. If you
were a fan of Joan Aiken, thrilled to Philip Pullman or Jonathan Stroud and want something with a bit more blood
and thunder than Susannah Clarke then this is surely it, an adult fantasy which is the current culmination of this
type of setting. Loveable (and hissable) characters, thrilling chases and battle scenes, endless imaginative
imagery and a clever ending make this five star stuff. Dare I say it? Hugely enjoyable! |
The Book |
Voyager (Harper Collins UK) |
March 2007 |
Hardback |
9780007232178 |
Fantasy |
More at Amazon.com
US||
UK |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Fantasy style violence |
The Reviewer |
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewed 2007 |
NOTE: |
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