From Publishers Weekly
Political intrigue and revolutionary plots keep the story bubbling in Brenchley's magical sequel to
Bridge of Dreams (2006), set in a culture reminiscent of the
Arabian Nights. Jendre, the disgraced wife of the recently dead sultan of Maras, overthrown by those who would prefer a more malleable ruler, longs for a quiet retirement with her lover, only to learn she still has some value to those who plot to gain power and influence. Meanwhile, the water mage Issel has led revolutionaries from the land of Sund across the river that links it to rival Maras. A chance meeting points to a way for Jendre and Issel to succeed by working together. Though Brenchley provides minimal backstory for new readers, those with patience will find a lively adventure in which the paths to survival and morality frequently diverge.
(Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Twenty years ago, a magical bridge allowed Maras to conquer Sund. As in
Bridge of Dreams (2006), Jendre is trying to rescue her sister, chosen to be one of the children whose dreams maintain the bridge at the cost of their minds. Water-mage Issel finds that he can't break the bridge but, when she is thrown in the river to drown, rescues Jendre. His powers and her knowledge of the Maras court allow Issel's band of outlaws to design tactics for breaking Maras power. The characters constitute the main attraction here; they're real people with real problems and convincing reactions.
Frieda MurrayCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
