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Elemental Blessings #2
Royal Airs
"Master storyteller Sharon Shinn created the thrilling and enchanting world of Welce in her acclaimed novel "Troubled Waters." Return with her to that elemental universe in this tale of secrecy, romance, and a battle for power..."
Josetta is a princess of one of the Five Families. But she is far from the throne, so she is free to spend her days working in the poorest sections of the city.
Rafe Adova, an outcast since he was born, lives the life of a career gambler in those slums. He has no ambition other than cheating at the card tables—until the night he decides to help a girl named Corene, who looks like she's stumbled into the wrong bar. She, too, is a princess—sister to Josetta, who finds her with Rafe. He fascinates her.
Josetta has never encountered anyone like him—someone seemingly devoid of elemental blessings. He is drawn to her, though he thinks they are unlikely to ever meet again—but their connection grows strong when she nurses him back to health after he is assaulted by foreign mercenaries.
And when they learn the reason he's being hunted, they know that the truth about his history could endanger not only their love but also their very lives...
Josetta is a princess of one of the Five Families. But she is far from the throne, so she is free to spend her days working in the poorest sections of the city.
Rafe Adova, an outcast since he was born, lives the life of a career gambler in those slums. He has no ambition other than cheating at the card tables—until the night he decides to help a girl named Corene, who looks like she's stumbled into the wrong bar. She, too, is a princess—sister to Josetta, who finds her with Rafe. He fascinates her.
Josetta has never encountered anyone like him—someone seemingly devoid of elemental blessings. He is drawn to her, though he thinks they are unlikely to ever meet again—but their connection grows strong when she nurses him back to health after he is assaulted by foreign mercenaries.
And when they learn the reason he's being hunted, they know that the truth about his history could endanger not only their love but also their very lives...
386 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2013
107 people are currently reading
1712 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Shinn
58 books2,288 followersI’ve been writing stories and poems since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween: "What is tonight? What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right." Perhaps this inauspicious beginning explains why it took me till I was in my thirties to sell a novel. It occurred to me early on that it might take some time and a lot of tries before I was able to publish any of my creative writing, so I pursued a degree in journalism at Northwestern University so I’d be able to support myself while I figured out how to write fiction.
I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.
I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")
I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.
I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.
I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")
I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.
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August 5, 2024
ETA on re-read
Raising my rating to a clean 4 stars. I enjoyed the book much more on re-read as I already knew that it wouldn't be as perfect as Book #1 so I was spared the original disappointment.
Original review:
3.5 stars.
This is actually a nice book, but Sharon Shinn set the mark so high with Troubled Waters, the first novel in the „Elemental Blessings”series that this one unfortunately falls short of great expectations.
The major „problem” is with the main characters Josetta, Princess of Welce -one of the possible heirs to the throne - and his love interest Rafe Adova, a guy with a mysterious past, who seems to be standing above the elemental blessings (he does not have any and always gets the extraordinary ones: time, synthesis, triumph) that govern the Welchin society. And this „specialness” is actually one of the major drawbacks for Rafe: he seems to be without any interesting character traits. Yes, he is nice, yes he is adventurous, yes, he likes to gamble , yes, he only pulls ghost coins from the wells of blessings, but nothing else really and this gets so often repeated about him that gets slightly annoying.
As for Josetta, she also falls under a similar fate: she is nice, kind, caring, the lovely girl next door and yet her character is not enough to carry the novel forward even combined with Rafe's story. Their romance is much more pronounced than Zoe’s & Darien’s in the first book, but it does not help.
The novel relies strongly on the great supporting cast of characters from the first novel – thank God for Zoe, Darien, Corene, Alys, the other Primes - & on the secondary plot of who should ascend the throne of Welce. This one was way more interesting & intriguing than the nice, but straightforward & boring romance of Josetta & Rafe.
Flying machines? Who cares, just give me the political intrigue Sharon Shinn is soooo very good at.
Raising my rating to a clean 4 stars. I enjoyed the book much more on re-read as I already knew that it wouldn't be as perfect as Book #1 so I was spared the original disappointment.
Original review:
3.5 stars.
This is actually a nice book, but Sharon Shinn set the mark so high with Troubled Waters, the first novel in the „Elemental Blessings”series that this one unfortunately falls short of great expectations.
The major „problem” is with the main characters Josetta, Princess of Welce -one of the possible heirs to the throne - and his love interest Rafe Adova, a guy with a mysterious past, who seems to be standing above the elemental blessings (he does not have any and always gets the extraordinary ones: time, synthesis, triumph) that govern the Welchin society. And this „specialness” is actually one of the major drawbacks for Rafe: he seems to be without any interesting character traits. Yes, he is nice, yes he is adventurous, yes, he likes to gamble , yes, he only pulls ghost coins from the wells of blessings, but nothing else really and this gets so often repeated about him that gets slightly annoying.
As for Josetta, she also falls under a similar fate: she is nice, kind, caring, the lovely girl next door and yet her character is not enough to carry the novel forward even combined with Rafe's story. Their romance is much more pronounced than Zoe’s & Darien’s in the first book, but it does not help.
The novel relies strongly on the great supporting cast of characters from the first novel – thank God for Zoe, Darien, Corene, Alys, the other Primes - & on the secondary plot of who should ascend the throne of Welce. This one was way more interesting & intriguing than the nice, but straightforward & boring romance of Josetta & Rafe.
Flying machines? Who cares, just give me the political intrigue Sharon Shinn is soooo very good at.
July 24, 2018
A soft 3 stars. This sequel to the excellent Troubled Waters is set five years after the first book ends, and focuses on a different set of main characters: Josette, one of the princesses from the first book, who spends most of her time running a shelter for the poor, and Rafe, a professional gambler with a mysterious past, who lives in the slums. Rafe is kind of an aimless, ambitionless sort who lives from card game to card game off his winnings, but (of course) he has a noble, chivalrous streak, so when a young girl (Corene from the first book) stumbles into his bar, he decides to protect her from trouble. Josetta finds her with Rafe, and from there Rafe's path begins to frequently cross with the nobility, especially Josetta. And a lot of old secrets begin to come to light.
This book suffers a bit from Sequelitis: the first book was so good, and this one just seems weak by comparison, though it really isn't a bad book. I think the main problem is that Rafe and Josetta just aren't as compelling main characters as Darien and Zoe from Troubled Waters. Despite all her good works with the homeless shelter, Josette is a quiet, cautious character who is sometimes a little colorless. And I got a little tired of reading about how aimless Rafe was at first and then how he was finding new meaning and purpose in life, every time he wasn't getting knifed, shot, crashing an airplane (early industrial age society here) or otherwise getting injured in some new life-threatening way.
But every time Zoe or Darien or even Corene shows up in this story, things get more intense and interesting.
Another problem for me was that a key plot point that hinges on a problematic tradition in a neighboring kingdom. Supposedly this is supposed to decrease contention and turmoil over the throne, but it felt like an artificial plot device to me, rather than a realistic tradition.
The ending is flirting with being a cliffhanger: while most of the story is wrapped up reasonably well, one subplot is thrown way open at the last moment, and left for resolution in the next book, Jeweled Fire.
Despite these weaknesses, it was still an enjoyable read for me, if a little bland at times. There's some interesting political intriguing, and Sharon Shinn has created an unusual, well-built fantasy world.
This book suffers a bit from Sequelitis: the first book was so good, and this one just seems weak by comparison, though it really isn't a bad book. I think the main problem is that Rafe and Josetta just aren't as compelling main characters as Darien and Zoe from Troubled Waters. Despite all her good works with the homeless shelter, Josette is a quiet, cautious character who is sometimes a little colorless. And I got a little tired of reading about how aimless Rafe was at first and then how he was finding new meaning and purpose in life, every time he wasn't getting knifed, shot, crashing an airplane (early industrial age society here) or otherwise getting injured in some new life-threatening way.
But every time Zoe or Darien or even Corene shows up in this story, things get more intense and interesting.
Another problem for me was that a key plot point that hinges on a problematic tradition in a neighboring kingdom. Supposedly this is supposed to decrease contention and turmoil over the throne, but it felt like an artificial plot device to me, rather than a realistic tradition.
The ending is flirting with being a cliffhanger: while most of the story is wrapped up reasonably well, one subplot is thrown way open at the last moment, and left for resolution in the next book, Jeweled Fire.
Despite these weaknesses, it was still an enjoyable read for me, if a little bland at times. There's some interesting political intriguing, and Sharon Shinn has created an unusual, well-built fantasy world.
November 29, 2013
What a spectacular letdown this book was. No, it was not terrible by any means, but considering the previous book in the series was spectacularly good, and one of my favorite YA high fantasies, this book, was a grievous dissappointment. It is the equivalent of watching Green Lantern after having seen The Dark Knight. Sure, both the Green Lantern and Batman are superheroes are in the same comic-based universe, but there's a fuck ton of a difference in quality.
Really, I feel so let down by this book. This is a clear example of a "sophomore book slump." The first book was terrific, the sequel is only slightly better than bad. I'm rounding up to a 3, because I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, but every element (no pun intended) in this book that I loved from the first was missing from the second. The first book had a strong, brave, interesting main character. The world building was fantastic, magical without being intrusive, wonderfully creative. The romance was so light and well-developed. The love interest was such a worthy match to the main character.
Compared to the first book, this one completely falls flat. The main character (Josetta) can only be summed up as ordinary and dull, her love interest (Rafe) is an idiotic Gary Stu
Summary: **spoilers for the first book, nothing for the second** Princess Josetta used to be the heir to the Welce throne, but now she spends her days in the slums, running a halfway house for the poor.
Rafe Adova is a gambler, at 27, he has no plans for life beyond tomorrow. In a country ruled by blessings, by the ones you pick and the ones you were given at birth, Rafe stands out because he has no blessings given to him, and the blessings chosen for him by friends always end up being extraordinary. He is also unusual because his ears were cut at birth, and now they are an unusual triangular shape, which he takes care to keep hidden.
Rafe and Josetta's lives collide when he saves Josetta's sister, Princess Corene, from a fight at an inn. Josetta is fascinated by this man, and Rafe will discover that his fate is more complex than anything they could ever have imagined.
The Setting: Much of the magic is gone from this book. What made the first book so wonderful was the beautiful setting of Welce, and the explanation and immersion in the Elemental Blessings system of the Welce country. It's just...gone. The elements still play a role, but it is largely diminished, and the inclusion of newfound technology just serves to confound me. In the first book, the only bit of technology was the elaymotive, or what we would call an automobile. In this book, there's been a development of technology, not very well explained, of a flying vehicle (airplane, durr) and even the development of an air conditioning system.
It may be nitpicky of me, but I felt that these technology were an unnecessary addition to the book. It largely took away from the magical, fantastic elements within it, and I ended up feeling like I got slapped into a quasi-steampunk novel instead of a fantasy.
The Plot: I felt that the plot took a large turn towards the absurd. There were an incredible amount of incidental events, too many happenstance coincidences, and Rafe's true identity came as a slap to the face because of how utterly fantastical it was. I found the main plotline to be completely unbelievable, and as much of a secondary plot it was, the intrigues within the Welce royal court was a much more enjoyable part of the book.
The Characters: It says something about the main characters in this book that the parts of the book which I most enjoyed featured the characters from the previous book: Josetta's half-sister and brother-in-law, Zoe and Darien Serlast. I loved seeing their cameos, I loved seeing their continued role within Welce politics. I loved seeing Darien's growing role as the regent for the country. I loved seeing, from a distance, his loyalty to his family, his fierce heart, his cleverness. I loved seeing Zoe as his foil, as his equal partner.
Zoe and Darien, not Josetta and Rafe, were the best things about this book.
I did not care one bit for the main characters in this book: Josetta and Rafe. Josetta is a calm, ordinary young woman. Maybe too ordinary. I do not require an extraordinary character, but neither do I want to read about someone who so dull. Really, there is nothing about Josetta that stands out besides her calmness, her rationality, her exemplary character. She is just too perfect for my enjoyment.
Maybe I was a little hasty in slapping the Gary Stu label on Rafe, but I really disliked his character. He is not offensive, he's a nice character, despite his role as an actual gambler, as well as one who gambles with his life. I still completely hated the way he was built in the book. Here's why: Rafe is just so damn special.
1. In a country where every child at birth is given 3 blessings, Rafe has none.
2. Whenever he chooses a blessing from a temple for himself, it turns up blank.
3. Whenever someone chooses a blessing for him, the blessings inevitably turn out to be extraordinary. There are five categories of blessings within Welce, the uncategorized blessings are considered extraordinary, there are only three, Rafe gets all of them. Time. Synthesis. Triumph.
4. His special destiny.
5. His deathwish and his extraodinary accomplishment: an inventor in Welce has been developing a flying machine. It is a risky invention that needs a flyer. Every single flyer has met with severe injury, or death. Rafe still wants to fly, knowing the risks, knowing he might die.
The side characters were considerably more interesting, and I loved seeing their relationships with Josetta more than the relationship between her and Rafe. I loved Josetta's relationship with her sisters, her relationship with her bodyguard. I even loved the hideous complexity of her sister's relationship with her twisted mother, Queen Alys. Every single relationship in this book was more compelling than that between the main characters'.
The Romance: In contrast to the previous book, this book is considerably heavier on the romance. There was no doubt whatsoever from the first chapter that Rafe and Josetta would eventually fall in love, and their relationship took over the book. It was a believable romance, but I wish it did not take such a large role in the book, particularly when I cannot help but contrast it against the previous book, with the extremely complex romance between Zoe and Darien. Still, I do admit, it was quite sweet at times.
Really, I feel so let down by this book. This is a clear example of a "sophomore book slump." The first book was terrific, the sequel is only slightly better than bad. I'm rounding up to a 3, because I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, but every element (no pun intended) in this book that I loved from the first was missing from the second. The first book had a strong, brave, interesting main character. The world building was fantastic, magical without being intrusive, wonderfully creative. The romance was so light and well-developed. The love interest was such a worthy match to the main character.
Compared to the first book, this one completely falls flat. The main character (Josetta) can only be summed up as ordinary and dull, her love interest (Rafe) is an idiotic Gary Stu
“Not everyone can be a wise, practical hunti man.”...and his involvement in the plot twists was just unbelievable. The magic in the world building is gone, replaced with some attempts at adapting technology to the Welce world that just detracts from the fantasy of the setting.
“No, but they don’t have to be half-wits.”
Summary: **spoilers for the first book, nothing for the second** Princess Josetta used to be the heir to the Welce throne, but now she spends her days in the slums, running a halfway house for the poor.
Rafe Adova is a gambler, at 27, he has no plans for life beyond tomorrow. In a country ruled by blessings, by the ones you pick and the ones you were given at birth, Rafe stands out because he has no blessings given to him, and the blessings chosen for him by friends always end up being extraordinary. He is also unusual because his ears were cut at birth, and now they are an unusual triangular shape, which he takes care to keep hidden.
Rafe and Josetta's lives collide when he saves Josetta's sister, Princess Corene, from a fight at an inn. Josetta is fascinated by this man, and Rafe will discover that his fate is more complex than anything they could ever have imagined.
The Setting: Much of the magic is gone from this book. What made the first book so wonderful was the beautiful setting of Welce, and the explanation and immersion in the Elemental Blessings system of the Welce country. It's just...gone. The elements still play a role, but it is largely diminished, and the inclusion of newfound technology just serves to confound me. In the first book, the only bit of technology was the elaymotive, or what we would call an automobile. In this book, there's been a development of technology, not very well explained, of a flying vehicle (airplane, durr) and even the development of an air conditioning system.
It may be nitpicky of me, but I felt that these technology were an unnecessary addition to the book. It largely took away from the magical, fantastic elements within it, and I ended up feeling like I got slapped into a quasi-steampunk novel instead of a fantasy.
The Plot: I felt that the plot took a large turn towards the absurd. There were an incredible amount of incidental events, too many happenstance coincidences, and Rafe's true identity came as a slap to the face because of how utterly fantastical it was. I found the main plotline to be completely unbelievable, and as much of a secondary plot it was, the intrigues within the Welce royal court was a much more enjoyable part of the book.
The Characters: It says something about the main characters in this book that the parts of the book which I most enjoyed featured the characters from the previous book: Josetta's half-sister and brother-in-law, Zoe and Darien Serlast. I loved seeing their cameos, I loved seeing their continued role within Welce politics. I loved seeing Darien's growing role as the regent for the country. I loved seeing, from a distance, his loyalty to his family, his fierce heart, his cleverness. I loved seeing Zoe as his foil, as his equal partner.
Zoe and Darien, not Josetta and Rafe, were the best things about this book.
I did not care one bit for the main characters in this book: Josetta and Rafe. Josetta is a calm, ordinary young woman. Maybe too ordinary. I do not require an extraordinary character, but neither do I want to read about someone who so dull. Really, there is nothing about Josetta that stands out besides her calmness, her rationality, her exemplary character. She is just too perfect for my enjoyment.
Maybe I was a little hasty in slapping the Gary Stu label on Rafe, but I really disliked his character. He is not offensive, he's a nice character, despite his role as an actual gambler, as well as one who gambles with his life. I still completely hated the way he was built in the book. Here's why: Rafe is just so damn special.
1. In a country where every child at birth is given 3 blessings, Rafe has none.
2. Whenever he chooses a blessing from a temple for himself, it turns up blank.
3. Whenever someone chooses a blessing for him, the blessings inevitably turn out to be extraordinary. There are five categories of blessings within Welce, the uncategorized blessings are considered extraordinary, there are only three, Rafe gets all of them. Time. Synthesis. Triumph.
4. His special destiny.
5. His deathwish and his extraodinary accomplishment: an inventor in Welce has been developing a flying machine. It is a risky invention that needs a flyer. Every single flyer has met with severe injury, or death. Rafe still wants to fly, knowing the risks, knowing he might die.
Today’s exhibition, ending with an injured pilot and a twisted carcass of metal, hadn’t done anything to change his mind. If anything, he was more excited than ever, impatient and eager to climb in the driver’s box. He had found his passion. He wanted to fly.Rafe's TSTL decision puts him in danger more often than any plot twist within the book, and I cannot help but look down upon him for it.
The side characters were considerably more interesting, and I loved seeing their relationships with Josetta more than the relationship between her and Rafe. I loved Josetta's relationship with her sisters, her relationship with her bodyguard. I even loved the hideous complexity of her sister's relationship with her twisted mother, Queen Alys. Every single relationship in this book was more compelling than that between the main characters'.
The Romance: In contrast to the previous book, this book is considerably heavier on the romance. There was no doubt whatsoever from the first chapter that Rafe and Josetta would eventually fall in love, and their relationship took over the book. It was a believable romance, but I wish it did not take such a large role in the book, particularly when I cannot help but contrast it against the previous book, with the extremely complex romance between Zoe and Darien. Still, I do admit, it was quite sweet at times.
April 10, 2014
Fa la la la la, la disappointment!
Frankly speaking, I didn't expect Royal Airs to be particularly memorable after Troubled Waters. I mean, how could I? It wouldn't have been fair of me to hold this sequel to the same standards I held its predecessor, not after absolutely loving the first novel in this series intensely.
But this?
It isn't that Shinn's Royal Airs is necessarily a bad book, but it just isn't a good one either. It picks up five years after Troubled Waters from the perspective of Josetta, Zoe's half-sister, who runs a shelter for the homeless in the slums of Welce. Once a princess, now merely an idol for the crown, Josetta has discovered her purpose outside of the palace. Corene, Zoe's step-daughter, however, hasn't been as lucky. Especially not with the influence of her scheming mother and former queen, Alys, hanging above her head. In an effort to escape Alys's latest husband, Corene runs to find Josetta in the slums of Welce, only to run into a gambler: Rafe. Not surprisingly, after becoming involved with Princess Corene and then Princess Josetta, Rafe unknowingly ties himself to the royal family. Before long, Rafe and Josetta have struck a tender friendship, the future of the crown is put to the test, and foreign dignitaries are arriving in Welce: again.
From the beginning itself, Rafe is singled out as unique; an individual who possesses no blessings. In Welce, the custom of having blessings chosen for you is regarded as an important ritual, but only ghost blessings are ever chosen for Rafe. Royal Airs is told in alternating perspectives from both Rafe and Josetta, but despite this intrusion into Rafe's mind, I found that his character quickly lost his original charm. When we first meet Rafe, he is an enigma. After all, who doesn't receive blessings? Instead of this seguing into an intriguing study of Rafe's unique personality, this tid-bit is merely used as a leveraging point to emphasize just how special Rafe is - a quality which winds up becoming conveniently important as the novel wears on. Without these interesting tags to pin upon him, though, Rafe is nothing special, as far as love interests go.
Josetta, too, doesn't fare much better. I enjoyed her narration, certainly, not to mention the close bonds she shares with Corene, Zoe, and Darien, but aspects of her voice fell flat. For one, I find it difficult to fully fathom that a Crown Princess could live and run a shelter in the slums with such ease. Even beyond the credibility of her back story, however, Josetta lacks the uncertainty and confusion that characterized Zoe during the beginning of Troubled Waters. With Royal Airs neither Josetta nor Rafe undergo any monumental amount of change or growth, which I found to be disappointing. If anything, their interactions are blessedly tame; complacent and dull. Where Zoe and Darien lit the page with their strong personalities, Josetta and Rafe undergo an extremely normal courtship. Admittedly, I enjoyed their slowly developing friendship, but it lacked the spark - the sizzling chemistry, if you will - that was distinct between Zoe and Darien. Royal Airs is, significantly, more romantic than Troubled Waters was and though I did not mind this in the least, I longed for the feeling of a deeper, simmering love than those of a quick, sweet infatuation. Shinn is, as always, a master at writing love stories - which remains true even in this installment - but I found myself distanced from this romance, unimpressed with the balance of character personalities, and ultimately disappointed that Josetta and Rafe lacked both the individual and coupled strength that Zoe and Darien were known for.
Royal Airs is slow to start, as I mentioned, but once it hits its stride, its quite the entertaining journey. While I found that the plot revolved a little too conveniently around Rafe and the unexpected plot twists he brought to the page, I absolutely loved the role that Corene and Darien played in this novel. More than Josetta, it is Corene who stands out in this sequel. Caught at a difficult time period in her life, feeling unwanted and confused, Corene is a mass of complex emotion - one I wanted to be involved in. I am certainly looking forward to getting to know her in the sequel, quite desperately, only because Corene is the strong, vivacious, and intricate heroine I look for in a novel. Josetta, in comparison, who is quietly fierce, is a character I love but one who makes for a poor protagonist due to the fact that much of her life is already figured out, orderly and neat. Nevertheless, main characters aside, the character who - yet again - stole the limelight (and my heart!) was Darien. In Royal Airs, Darien continues to play a large political role in the conduct and ruling of Welce, but he continues to surpass my wildest expectations. From the outside, Darien isn't an easy person to like, so seeing Rafe slowly gain respect for him over the course of the novel was an interesting relationship to watch unfold. Moreover, Darien's cleverness and loyalty are showcased so clearly in this installment, right alongside his flaws just as they were in Troubled Waters. Needless to say, it was more than just a little bit satisfactory to read about one of my favorite characters in all his complex glory. While I wished we could have had even just one teensy romantic gesture shared with Zoe, I have no complaints whatsoever when it comes to my favorite couple (or their adorably cute daughter)!
Unfortunately, however, Royal Airs remains a sore disappointment. Troubled Waters works perfectly as a stand-alone - and an absolutely brilliant novel - but I certainly wished for a slightly more enticing welcome back to Welce. Shinn's sequel is slow, riddled with characters who lack true conflicts and complex personalities, not to mention they are quick to be saddled with the role of the "Chosen One" archetype. While the overarching plot to this series remains intriguing and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be reading the sequel, perhaps with considerably less enthusiasm. (Unless, of course, Darien Serlast is in it... *sigh*)
Frankly speaking, I didn't expect Royal Airs to be particularly memorable after Troubled Waters. I mean, how could I? It wouldn't have been fair of me to hold this sequel to the same standards I held its predecessor, not after absolutely loving the first novel in this series intensely.
But this?
It isn't that Shinn's Royal Airs is necessarily a bad book, but it just isn't a good one either. It picks up five years after Troubled Waters from the perspective of Josetta, Zoe's half-sister, who runs a shelter for the homeless in the slums of Welce. Once a princess, now merely an idol for the crown, Josetta has discovered her purpose outside of the palace. Corene, Zoe's step-daughter, however, hasn't been as lucky. Especially not with the influence of her scheming mother and former queen, Alys, hanging above her head. In an effort to escape Alys's latest husband, Corene runs to find Josetta in the slums of Welce, only to run into a gambler: Rafe. Not surprisingly, after becoming involved with Princess Corene and then Princess Josetta, Rafe unknowingly ties himself to the royal family. Before long, Rafe and Josetta have struck a tender friendship, the future of the crown is put to the test, and foreign dignitaries are arriving in Welce: again.
From the beginning itself, Rafe is singled out as unique; an individual who possesses no blessings. In Welce, the custom of having blessings chosen for you is regarded as an important ritual, but only ghost blessings are ever chosen for Rafe. Royal Airs is told in alternating perspectives from both Rafe and Josetta, but despite this intrusion into Rafe's mind, I found that his character quickly lost his original charm. When we first meet Rafe, he is an enigma. After all, who doesn't receive blessings? Instead of this seguing into an intriguing study of Rafe's unique personality, this tid-bit is merely used as a leveraging point to emphasize just how special Rafe is - a quality which winds up becoming conveniently important as the novel wears on. Without these interesting tags to pin upon him, though, Rafe is nothing special, as far as love interests go.
Josetta, too, doesn't fare much better. I enjoyed her narration, certainly, not to mention the close bonds she shares with Corene, Zoe, and Darien, but aspects of her voice fell flat. For one, I find it difficult to fully fathom that a Crown Princess could live and run a shelter in the slums with such ease. Even beyond the credibility of her back story, however, Josetta lacks the uncertainty and confusion that characterized Zoe during the beginning of Troubled Waters. With Royal Airs neither Josetta nor Rafe undergo any monumental amount of change or growth, which I found to be disappointing. If anything, their interactions are blessedly tame; complacent and dull. Where Zoe and Darien lit the page with their strong personalities, Josetta and Rafe undergo an extremely normal courtship. Admittedly, I enjoyed their slowly developing friendship, but it lacked the spark - the sizzling chemistry, if you will - that was distinct between Zoe and Darien. Royal Airs is, significantly, more romantic than Troubled Waters was and though I did not mind this in the least, I longed for the feeling of a deeper, simmering love than those of a quick, sweet infatuation. Shinn is, as always, a master at writing love stories - which remains true even in this installment - but I found myself distanced from this romance, unimpressed with the balance of character personalities, and ultimately disappointed that Josetta and Rafe lacked both the individual and coupled strength that Zoe and Darien were known for.
Royal Airs is slow to start, as I mentioned, but once it hits its stride, its quite the entertaining journey. While I found that the plot revolved a little too conveniently around Rafe and the unexpected plot twists he brought to the page, I absolutely loved the role that Corene and Darien played in this novel. More than Josetta, it is Corene who stands out in this sequel. Caught at a difficult time period in her life, feeling unwanted and confused, Corene is a mass of complex emotion - one I wanted to be involved in. I am certainly looking forward to getting to know her in the sequel, quite desperately, only because Corene is the strong, vivacious, and intricate heroine I look for in a novel. Josetta, in comparison, who is quietly fierce, is a character I love but one who makes for a poor protagonist due to the fact that much of her life is already figured out, orderly and neat. Nevertheless, main characters aside, the character who - yet again - stole the limelight (and my heart!) was Darien. In Royal Airs, Darien continues to play a large political role in the conduct and ruling of Welce, but he continues to surpass my wildest expectations. From the outside, Darien isn't an easy person to like, so seeing Rafe slowly gain respect for him over the course of the novel was an interesting relationship to watch unfold. Moreover, Darien's cleverness and loyalty are showcased so clearly in this installment, right alongside his flaws just as they were in Troubled Waters. Needless to say, it was more than just a little bit satisfactory to read about one of my favorite characters in all his complex glory. While I wished we could have had even just one teensy romantic gesture shared with Zoe, I have no complaints whatsoever when it comes to my favorite couple (or their adorably cute daughter)!
Unfortunately, however, Royal Airs remains a sore disappointment. Troubled Waters works perfectly as a stand-alone - and an absolutely brilliant novel - but I certainly wished for a slightly more enticing welcome back to Welce. Shinn's sequel is slow, riddled with characters who lack true conflicts and complex personalities, not to mention they are quick to be saddled with the role of the "Chosen One" archetype. While the overarching plot to this series remains intriguing and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be reading the sequel, perhaps with considerably less enthusiasm. (Unless, of course, Darien Serlast is in it... *sigh*)
September 15, 2015
I wanted to like this a whole lot better than I ended up doing. I already knew I liked the world and many characters in it from the first book, so I was anticipating this one being, if not as interesting, then at least along the same axis of interest. Unfortunately, this did not pan out and most of the interest came as a result of having read the first book.
Josetta and Rafe were just so bland. Worse, they were largely passive, waiting for events to happen to them as they go about their regular routine. It doesn't help that I have a hard time buying Josetta's shelter as anything even remotely possible, let alone as something that she truly cares about. I mean, it's awful convenient that she can be gone for days at a time with no advanced planning and things run as smoothly as ever just as it is awful convenient that she doesn't have to deal with gangs or sexual predators or even liars and cheats despite not bothering to screen people at all. The problem is that her shelter acts as shorthand for her being "good" and truly caring for people even as it serves as a convenient backdrop or neutral ground for her to begin a relationship with someone she normally wouldn't be able to meet let alone hang around with much. So it doesn't really stand any scrutiny as something with actual reality, meaning, or depth.
And while I kind of enjoyed their relationship, it was one of those steady, comfortable kind of things that grow up naturally over time without undue fireworks or misunderstandings and with each knowing more or less where they stand with regards to the other. I like seeing that kind of relationship in a novel, don't get me wrong. It's novel for being so stable. But that means that the story really needed to step it up a notch to provide alternate interest because fireworks weren't going to come from the two of them getting together.
I was halfway through the book when I realized that I was still waiting for it to start. The plot is a really slow burn and even when it gets going, a lot of the interesting bits take place off stage--both Josetta and Rafe are kind of ancillary to it so you get a lot of interactions with the important folks in the kingdom without either one of them actually becoming central in and of themselves. So even as I enjoyed every scene and interaction with Zoe and Darien, I couldn't help noticing the contrast when they were gone. And that contrast was marked.
Which sounds like I hated the novel more than I did. Not so. My interest held throughout, and I was never tempted to simply stop reading. So I was entertained, even as I knew I didn't care so much about Rafe or Josetta as such. I still love the world and Shinn is an evocative, talented author even with a story that doesn't grab me. I'll definitely be picking up the next one if Shinn writes one. Indeed, I truly hope that she does.
Josetta and Rafe were just so bland. Worse, they were largely passive, waiting for events to happen to them as they go about their regular routine. It doesn't help that I have a hard time buying Josetta's shelter as anything even remotely possible, let alone as something that she truly cares about. I mean, it's awful convenient that she can be gone for days at a time with no advanced planning and things run as smoothly as ever just as it is awful convenient that she doesn't have to deal with gangs or sexual predators or even liars and cheats despite not bothering to screen people at all. The problem is that her shelter acts as shorthand for her being "good" and truly caring for people even as it serves as a convenient backdrop or neutral ground for her to begin a relationship with someone she normally wouldn't be able to meet let alone hang around with much. So it doesn't really stand any scrutiny as something with actual reality, meaning, or depth.
And while I kind of enjoyed their relationship, it was one of those steady, comfortable kind of things that grow up naturally over time without undue fireworks or misunderstandings and with each knowing more or less where they stand with regards to the other. I like seeing that kind of relationship in a novel, don't get me wrong. It's novel for being so stable. But that means that the story really needed to step it up a notch to provide alternate interest because fireworks weren't going to come from the two of them getting together.
I was halfway through the book when I realized that I was still waiting for it to start. The plot is a really slow burn and even when it gets going, a lot of the interesting bits take place off stage--both Josetta and Rafe are kind of ancillary to it so you get a lot of interactions with the important folks in the kingdom without either one of them actually becoming central in and of themselves. So even as I enjoyed every scene and interaction with Zoe and Darien, I couldn't help noticing the contrast when they were gone. And that contrast was marked.
Which sounds like I hated the novel more than I did. Not so. My interest held throughout, and I was never tempted to simply stop reading. So I was entertained, even as I knew I didn't care so much about Rafe or Josetta as such. I still love the world and Shinn is an evocative, talented author even with a story that doesn't grab me. I'll definitely be picking up the next one if Shinn writes one. Indeed, I truly hope that she does.
July 23, 2018
A lot of reviewers were disappointed in this sequel to Troubled Waters, and about half way through I realized why. It was missing the magic, the elemental magic. Neither of the main characters had any, so we only saw it peripherally. This made it much less of a fantasy and more of a historical romance with some political intrigue thrown in during the second half.
As a historical romance, I enjoyed it. I liked Josetta, and I liked Rafe. I also liked how their stories ended up. I did wish there was more magic, but I think having lowered expectations rescued this book for me.
As a historical romance, I enjoyed it. I liked Josetta, and I liked Rafe. I also liked how their stories ended up. I did wish there was more magic, but I think having lowered expectations rescued this book for me.
June 2, 2023
"
Embrace the differences that make you unique
"
I picked this book up thinking I wanted a princess/bodyguard romance after hints in the previous book but as soon as we met Rafe in the first chapter I have to admit I was glad for his intro & the intrigue he brought to the story through his interesting interactions vis-à-vis the drawing of blessings 🤗
I enjoyed Josetta's trajectory in book1, following the reveals therein and I was glad for the time jump forward 5 years to see her finding her place helping others by funding and running a Shelter. Rafe's interest in the Elay flying machines brought a fun steampunk vibe to the read + gave me serious food for thought while they made their tests as to how brave the initial pilots were back in the day for those first flights, especially considering we have none of the magic of this world 🤔
Corene was a fun surprise to see her growth from book1, she's still a little reckless and her blunt teenage questions have me anticipating her adventure in the next book especially as blurb somewhat hints at possibly fulfilling a wish I'd somewhat harboured for this book but didn't think to apply to the next one...hence why I'm a reader not a writer 😅
I lack the imagination to think bigger picture 🙈
While talking about this series in my GR Gal Pals Group Chat, I described it as "Soft Fantasy" - there is a magic system, it is super interesting and well developed however it is not the focus of this story. Unlike the previous book where magical abilities played more of a role for Zoe, in this one political machinations moved center stage following the fallout of reveals therein and to a lesser extent the romance between the MCs was a bit more pronounced in this book vs the previous one but 🤐 so any who want to find out more can discover these stories at their leisure without fear of my accidentally spoiling anything...or at least I always try hard not to 🫣
3.5-3.75*
Funnily enough, my rating is similar in range to the first book but for opposing reasons 🤭 The things I was missing from book1, like a more pronounced romance, played a larger role in this one - but the magical adventures are less evident here so weirdly enough they stay in the same rating bracket 🫠
Looking forward to seeing what shenanigans Corene gets up to considering the ending...sneaky sneaky 😈
PS - apologies to author & publisher...but my superficial af @$$ really dislikes this cover 😬🥺
I picked this book up thinking I wanted a princess/bodyguard romance after hints in the previous book but as soon as we met Rafe in the first chapter I have to admit I was glad for his intro & the intrigue he brought to the story through his interesting interactions vis-à-vis the drawing of blessings 🤗
I enjoyed Josetta's trajectory in book1, following the reveals therein and I was glad for the time jump forward 5 years to see her finding her place helping others by funding and running a Shelter. Rafe's interest in the Elay flying machines brought a fun steampunk vibe to the read + gave me serious food for thought while they made their tests as to how brave the initial pilots were back in the day for those first flights, especially considering we have none of the magic of this world 🤔
Corene was a fun surprise to see her growth from book1, she's still a little reckless and her blunt teenage questions have me anticipating her adventure in the next book especially as blurb somewhat hints at possibly fulfilling a wish I'd somewhat harboured for this book but didn't think to apply to the next one...hence why I'm a reader not a writer 😅
I lack the imagination to think bigger picture 🙈
While talking about this series in my GR Gal Pals Group Chat, I described it as "Soft Fantasy" - there is a magic system, it is super interesting and well developed however it is not the focus of this story. Unlike the previous book where magical abilities played more of a role for Zoe, in this one political machinations moved center stage following the fallout of reveals therein and to a lesser extent the romance between the MCs was a bit more pronounced in this book vs the previous one but 🤐 so any who want to find out more can discover these stories at their leisure without fear of my accidentally spoiling anything...or at least I always try hard not to 🫣
3.5-3.75*
Funnily enough, my rating is similar in range to the first book but for opposing reasons 🤭 The things I was missing from book1, like a more pronounced romance, played a larger role in this one - but the magical adventures are less evident here so weirdly enough they stay in the same rating bracket 🫠
Looking forward to seeing what shenanigans Corene gets up to considering the ending...sneaky sneaky 😈
PS - apologies to author & publisher...but my superficial af @$$ really dislikes this cover 😬🥺
January 15, 2014
I feel a little uncomfortable giving this a starred rating, as it seems I ought to have liked this book better than I did. It takes place five years after the events of Troubled Waters, focusing on the princesses Josetta and Corene whose family relations were so spectacularly disrupted in that book. Now Josetta lives in the slums, running a soup kitchen/flop house (only very nice and not at all slummy) and Corene is trying to find her place in the world. Gambler Rafe Adova enters their lives when he rescues Corene, meets Josetta and is instantly attracted to her, which feeling is mutual.
My main trouble, I think, is that I never really felt connected to either Josetta or Rafe. Rafe, for one, reads as *much* younger than his stated 27 years. Their relationship and eventual romance is handled as well as any such thing you might expect from Sharon Shinn, but I just never really cared whether they'd end up together or not. I was far more interested in both Corene's fate and the political plotting going on in the background, and everything always got more interesting when Darien Serlast was on the scene. The mystery of what was going on with young Odelia, heir to the throne, really did stay a mystery, and kudos to Shinn for choosing that complication to the story.
Corene is a much feistier person than her sister Josetta, and I really felt for her because, for one, her mother is a stone cold bitch, and for another, she keeps getting ignored and forgotten by absolutely everyone. At the end, . I really hope the next book has Corene as the main character, and also that she doesn't fall in love with Rafe's nonentity brother Steff.
Ultimately, it's still a great world, and it's interesting to see the development of technology that runs side by side with the elemental magic of the primes. But the romance at the heart of the story isn't sufficiently strong to keep up with the more substantial political maneuverings of the secondary plot.
My main trouble, I think, is that I never really felt connected to either Josetta or Rafe. Rafe, for one, reads as *much* younger than his stated 27 years. Their relationship and eventual romance is handled as well as any such thing you might expect from Sharon Shinn, but I just never really cared whether they'd end up together or not. I was far more interested in both Corene's fate and the political plotting going on in the background, and everything always got more interesting when Darien Serlast was on the scene. The mystery of what was going on with young Odelia, heir to the throne, really did stay a mystery, and kudos to Shinn for choosing that complication to the story.
Corene is a much feistier person than her sister Josetta, and I really felt for her because, for one, her mother is a stone cold bitch, and for another, she keeps getting ignored and forgotten by absolutely everyone. At the end, . I really hope the next book has Corene as the main character, and also that she doesn't fall in love with Rafe's nonentity brother Steff.
Ultimately, it's still a great world, and it's interesting to see the development of technology that runs side by side with the elemental magic of the primes. But the romance at the heart of the story isn't sufficiently strong to keep up with the more substantial political maneuverings of the secondary plot.
October 12, 2014
Based on several lukewarm reviews of this, I'd expected to be disappointed, but I enjoyed this at least as much as I did Troubled Waters. Unlike some reviewers, I wasn't disappointed in Josette and Rafe, either individually or as a couple. I enjoyed both characters, particularly Josette, who is both sensible but feisty in her quiet way, and I enjoyed the slow build-up of their romance.
The novel is not flawless. The pacing is off at times and the novel could have been tightened a little. The trope of the ne'er-do-well who turns out to be a prince is a bit tired, and the plot wraps up just a little too neatly, but then the plot of Troubled Waters does too, if I remember rightly. In fact, I think this one ended with just the right punch: Corene turns out to be one of the most complex and vivid characters in the novel, but I found all the characters to be complex and interesting, with the possible exception of Ghyaneth, who remains something of a stereotype whenever he appears.
I found that Darien produced conflicting emotions in me in this novel. Yes, we are continually reminded that beneath the steel and determination lie kindness and generosity, and we do see this in the last part of the book. But nevertheless, almost every time Darien appears in this novel, he comes over as so very adamant, so imperious and even arrogant that I cringed a little, despite knowing his depths and subtleties from Troubled Waters . It was a relief to see his more complex side emerge towards the end.
And I love the world building that follows on from the first book. I'm interested to see how the world continues to develop technologically. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. This one's a 4.5 for me.
The novel is not flawless. The pacing is off at times and the novel could have been tightened a little. The trope of the ne'er-do-well who turns out to be a prince is a bit tired, and the plot wraps up just a little too neatly, but then the plot of Troubled Waters does too, if I remember rightly. In fact, I think this one ended with just the right punch: Corene turns out to be one of the most complex and vivid characters in the novel, but I found all the characters to be complex and interesting, with the possible exception of Ghyaneth, who remains something of a stereotype whenever he appears.
I found that Darien produced conflicting emotions in me in this novel. Yes, we are continually reminded that beneath the steel and determination lie kindness and generosity, and we do see this in the last part of the book. But nevertheless, almost every time Darien appears in this novel, he comes over as so very adamant, so imperious and even arrogant that I cringed a little, despite knowing his depths and subtleties from Troubled Waters . It was a relief to see his more complex side emerge towards the end.
And I love the world building that follows on from the first book. I'm interested to see how the world continues to develop technologically. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. This one's a 4.5 for me.
November 17, 2013
You know, the setting for TROUBLED WATERS and ROYAL AIRS is pretty unusual. How often do you find a fantasy where the medieval world is just now giving way to the Industrial Revolution?
Granted, this particular Industrial Revolution involves technology with quite a large magical infusion along with the engines. But. Smoker cars. Elaymotives. Aeromotives. Factories where all the above are made. We’re mad about vehicle technology, in this world. It makes so much sense that Rafe in particular — Rafe the gambler — would fall in love with the idea of aeromotives and flight and become a test pilot. And I like how Shinn doesn’t candy-coat the dangers of testing new planes. Though I must say, Rafe did not need another way to get himself beaten up or nearly killed; he seems to spend the whole book recovering from one pounding or another. AND I like the way Shinn doesn’t candy-coat that, ether. No getting your ribs broken one day and bouncing cheerfully out of bed the next.
So, yeah, Rafe. I like him a lot. And Josetta. I did find myself rolling my eyes a bit about the shelter she runs for the poor of the city. That whole thing is a bit simplistic, but then trying for a realistic treatment of poverty and the poor and shelters would probably have been out of place in this book, which is not meant to be an Issue book (thankfully), but rather the kind of warm, comfortable story you can relax into. (Which it is.) I definitely thought Rafe and Josetta were perfectly suited and really enjoyed the romance between them. Because you know romance tropes are central for most of Shinn’s books, right? The more restrained, less explicitly erotic treatment of romance in this series is perfect for me.
Still, in this book, I actually liked Corene more than Josetta — more any other female character. She’s the one with the biggest issues to deal with — my goodness, her mother! — and I love her combination of vulnerability and fierceness. I was SO pleased that she would not give an inch over that thing with Dominic. Go, Corene! And it’s plain that Corene is being set up to be the protagonist for a potential third book, which is great!
I liked seeing Darien again. I loved him in the first book and I love him in this one and I really enjoyed the little twist at the end, which I didn’t see coming, though I can’t imagine why not. Oh, well, yes I can, it’s because I thought I knew how that particular dilemma would be resolved, so Shinn took me by surprise when she did something else. Yes, and the discussion involving this issue — yes, I know, I’m being very vague — but that suggestion of Kayle’s about how to handle this particular problem offers a great and unexpected hook for a potential future book, too.
Okay, let me just add, if you had to pick one fantasy world to live in for the rest of your life, Welce would be a good choice. It really would. Much more so than your typical fantasy country. But its neighbors! Ugh. Berringey is almost as bad as Soeche-Tas, not that any country can be quite as creepy as Soeche-Tas. You remember Soeche-Tas from TROUBLED WATERS? Corene was going to be married off to the viceroy? Ick ick ick, right?
Well, Berringey isn’t necessarily a huge improvement on Soeche-Tas, though less creepy and more just . . . sort of smugly vicious. I did think it didn’t seem altogether reasonable that the princesses of Welce would know so little about Berringey’s more eye-popping customs, but then there are very clear implications that Welce is protected by some fortunate accident of geography from the aggression of other countries, so perhaps people in Welce just don’t have to care about the barbaric / violent / creepy / horrifying customs of their neighbors. Which is lucky for them, but if you visited this world, you would definitely want to land in Welce and not anywhere else.
Plus, the blessings everyone draws in Welce are just . . . charming. They really are. It says just about everything you need to know about this country that every single one is a blessing, right? I mean, you can draw honesty, but not deceit; resolve, but not obsession. Sharon Shinn should totally set up a way to draw blessings at her website, if she had a website. Or a personality quiz to find out what kind of person you are! That would be fun. I think maybe I’m more torz? Or hunti? Definitely not elay or coru.
Anyway, if you’ve already got this one on your TBR pile, enjoy! And if you don’t, yet, then if you want a warm cuddly book to read while curled up on the sofa drinking hot chocolate, this would be a good choice.
Granted, this particular Industrial Revolution involves technology with quite a large magical infusion along with the engines. But. Smoker cars. Elaymotives. Aeromotives. Factories where all the above are made. We’re mad about vehicle technology, in this world. It makes so much sense that Rafe in particular — Rafe the gambler — would fall in love with the idea of aeromotives and flight and become a test pilot. And I like how Shinn doesn’t candy-coat the dangers of testing new planes. Though I must say, Rafe did not need another way to get himself beaten up or nearly killed; he seems to spend the whole book recovering from one pounding or another. AND I like the way Shinn doesn’t candy-coat that, ether. No getting your ribs broken one day and bouncing cheerfully out of bed the next.
So, yeah, Rafe. I like him a lot. And Josetta. I did find myself rolling my eyes a bit about the shelter she runs for the poor of the city. That whole thing is a bit simplistic, but then trying for a realistic treatment of poverty and the poor and shelters would probably have been out of place in this book, which is not meant to be an Issue book (thankfully), but rather the kind of warm, comfortable story you can relax into. (Which it is.) I definitely thought Rafe and Josetta were perfectly suited and really enjoyed the romance between them. Because you know romance tropes are central for most of Shinn’s books, right? The more restrained, less explicitly erotic treatment of romance in this series is perfect for me.
Still, in this book, I actually liked Corene more than Josetta — more any other female character. She’s the one with the biggest issues to deal with — my goodness, her mother! — and I love her combination of vulnerability and fierceness. I was SO pleased that she would not give an inch over that thing with Dominic. Go, Corene! And it’s plain that Corene is being set up to be the protagonist for a potential third book, which is great!
I liked seeing Darien again. I loved him in the first book and I love him in this one and I really enjoyed the little twist at the end, which I didn’t see coming, though I can’t imagine why not. Oh, well, yes I can, it’s because I thought I knew how that particular dilemma would be resolved, so Shinn took me by surprise when she did something else. Yes, and the discussion involving this issue — yes, I know, I’m being very vague — but that suggestion of Kayle’s about how to handle this particular problem offers a great and unexpected hook for a potential future book, too.
Okay, let me just add, if you had to pick one fantasy world to live in for the rest of your life, Welce would be a good choice. It really would. Much more so than your typical fantasy country. But its neighbors! Ugh. Berringey is almost as bad as Soeche-Tas, not that any country can be quite as creepy as Soeche-Tas. You remember Soeche-Tas from TROUBLED WATERS? Corene was going to be married off to the viceroy? Ick ick ick, right?
Well, Berringey isn’t necessarily a huge improvement on Soeche-Tas, though less creepy and more just . . . sort of smugly vicious. I did think it didn’t seem altogether reasonable that the princesses of Welce would know so little about Berringey’s more eye-popping customs, but then there are very clear implications that Welce is protected by some fortunate accident of geography from the aggression of other countries, so perhaps people in Welce just don’t have to care about the barbaric / violent / creepy / horrifying customs of their neighbors. Which is lucky for them, but if you visited this world, you would definitely want to land in Welce and not anywhere else.
Plus, the blessings everyone draws in Welce are just . . . charming. They really are. It says just about everything you need to know about this country that every single one is a blessing, right? I mean, you can draw honesty, but not deceit; resolve, but not obsession. Sharon Shinn should totally set up a way to draw blessings at her website, if she had a website. Or a personality quiz to find out what kind of person you are! That would be fun. I think maybe I’m more torz? Or hunti? Definitely not elay or coru.
Anyway, if you’ve already got this one on your TBR pile, enjoy! And if you don’t, yet, then if you want a warm cuddly book to read while curled up on the sofa drinking hot chocolate, this would be a good choice.
August 27, 2019
I enjoyed this novel. Not surprising, as Shinn is one of my favorite writers. Her new books automatically go on my To-Read list, and I own most of them. This one is the second in the author’s new series Elemental Blessings.
The story occurs several years after the first book in the series, Troubled Waters, and many familiar personages pop up on the pages. The action revolves around two central characters: Josetta and Rafe. A more disparate set of lovers is hard to imagine.
Rafe is a professional gambler, living in the slums of Chialto, the capital of Welce, and plying his card trade nightly in a semi-respectable tavern. He doesn’t like what he is doing very much (who among us likes their jobs very much?) but he is good at it and he makes a decent living. Until fate brings him in contact with Josetta, he never questions his way of life. Afterwards… things happen, and his life turns upside down. And he doesn’t even mind that, as long as his new existence includes Josetta. His first impression of her: “The door opened, and spring stepped inside.” So simple and so beautiful!
Josetta is a princess. Strong-minded and resilient, with the unswerving moral code and a kind heart, she doesn’t have any royal blood, but her mother was a queen, married to the late king, and Josetta has been in line for the throne of Welce since she was born. She doesn’t want the position though. She hates the palace, detests its endless intrigues and its scuffle for power, and spends most of her days in the shelter for the poor she operates in the slums, where she provides food, medicine, and warm beds to anyone in need. Her life is orderly and well-regulated, until she meets Rafe. Then, all bets are off, and what this princess will do for her guy is not easy to predict.
The world is interesting and original, on the verge of an industrial revolution. It incorporates automobiles and horses, sailing ships and flying planes, test pilots and homicidal princes, and of course magic, subtle but implacable.
The pacing is slower than I would like, and like most Shinn’s novels, this one is low key - a quiet love story between a young man and a young woman, lyrical and enchanting. Despite the adventurous plotline, all the escapades and brawls and general swashbuckling are only surface deep, a painted backdrop for the heroes’ journeys, which unfold inside their souls. Both Josetta and Rafe are trying to find their places in life, establish their mutual zone, and investigate their connection. Their search for each other and for the meanings of their lives is the focus of this book.
My only objection: I don’t really believe that a princess would be allowed to manage a shelter, or a royal regent would gallivant around the countryside unescorted. The power structure of the society depicted in the book is too democratic for a kingdom, and the power players are too casual and unassuming. If the royal retinue’s fussing makes the king, then what does the lack of such a retinue signify?
The 4 stars of my rating are comparative, but it’s not a comparison with other writers. I simply like some of Shinn’s other novels better. Still, this is a solid fantasy tale with a romantic subtext and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who likes a blend of fantasy and romance.
The story occurs several years after the first book in the series, Troubled Waters, and many familiar personages pop up on the pages. The action revolves around two central characters: Josetta and Rafe. A more disparate set of lovers is hard to imagine.
Rafe is a professional gambler, living in the slums of Chialto, the capital of Welce, and plying his card trade nightly in a semi-respectable tavern. He doesn’t like what he is doing very much (who among us likes their jobs very much?) but he is good at it and he makes a decent living. Until fate brings him in contact with Josetta, he never questions his way of life. Afterwards… things happen, and his life turns upside down. And he doesn’t even mind that, as long as his new existence includes Josetta. His first impression of her: “The door opened, and spring stepped inside.” So simple and so beautiful!
Josetta is a princess. Strong-minded and resilient, with the unswerving moral code and a kind heart, she doesn’t have any royal blood, but her mother was a queen, married to the late king, and Josetta has been in line for the throne of Welce since she was born. She doesn’t want the position though. She hates the palace, detests its endless intrigues and its scuffle for power, and spends most of her days in the shelter for the poor she operates in the slums, where she provides food, medicine, and warm beds to anyone in need. Her life is orderly and well-regulated, until she meets Rafe. Then, all bets are off, and what this princess will do for her guy is not easy to predict.
The world is interesting and original, on the verge of an industrial revolution. It incorporates automobiles and horses, sailing ships and flying planes, test pilots and homicidal princes, and of course magic, subtle but implacable.
The pacing is slower than I would like, and like most Shinn’s novels, this one is low key - a quiet love story between a young man and a young woman, lyrical and enchanting. Despite the adventurous plotline, all the escapades and brawls and general swashbuckling are only surface deep, a painted backdrop for the heroes’ journeys, which unfold inside their souls. Both Josetta and Rafe are trying to find their places in life, establish their mutual zone, and investigate their connection. Their search for each other and for the meanings of their lives is the focus of this book.
My only objection: I don’t really believe that a princess would be allowed to manage a shelter, or a royal regent would gallivant around the countryside unescorted. The power structure of the society depicted in the book is too democratic for a kingdom, and the power players are too casual and unassuming. If the royal retinue’s fussing makes the king, then what does the lack of such a retinue signify?
The 4 stars of my rating are comparative, but it’s not a comparison with other writers. I simply like some of Shinn’s other novels better. Still, this is a solid fantasy tale with a romantic subtext and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who likes a blend of fantasy and romance.
November 9, 2013
A few scattered thoughts: I still loved the worldbuiling, but the romance really brought the novel down. Troubled Airs produced a fascinating political tangle, but the resolution was a bit too easy, which undermined the cunning foresight of the antagonist. The plot was oddly paced in general, and many character reactions were predictable.
At least the novel's title is fantastically punny, though. And the worldbuilding is still intriguing on a conceptual level.
At least the novel's title is fantastically punny, though. And the worldbuilding is still intriguing on a conceptual level.
August 7, 2021
This was ok. Not as good as the first book in the series. It had some interesting plot twists near the end but it was paced so slowly.
September 17, 2019
I could not put it down, it was so much more exciting than Troubled Waters!!!
June 6, 2018
I seem to agree with all of my friends on this one. How nice! Specifically, I agree that the worldbuilding is wonderful, but the romance just didn't do much for me. It was fine! I certainly wasn't rooting against it, but I was still all into the glimpses of Zoe/Darien we got and this romance never felt that way.
(And DARIEN. I fell head over heels for him in this book.)
And I'm kind of bummed that Josetta went through all this character growth that we didn't get to see since the last book. I LIKED the shy, awkward girl from the first book. That was a more unusual character and someone I could relate to. This Josetta was great, but less relatable.
For the next book,
Audiobook Re-read June 2018
Apparently this is my first full re-read, though I've definitely re-read the Darien/Zoe moments a lot. Anyway . . . this is fine. I stand by my Josetta comments above.
(And DARIEN. I fell head over heels for him in this book.)
And I'm kind of bummed that Josetta went through all this character growth that we didn't get to see since the last book. I LIKED the shy, awkward girl from the first book. That was a more unusual character and someone I could relate to. This Josetta was great, but less relatable.
For the next book,
Audiobook Re-read June 2018
Apparently this is my first full re-read, though I've definitely re-read the Darien/Zoe moments a lot. Anyway . . . this is fine. I stand by my Josetta comments above.
September 22, 2020
I think where this one suffers in comparison to the other books in the series (at least 1 and 3 that I've read so far) is that it's dual-POV with both POVs romantically involved. Not only is there no mystery romance-wise, the reader also gets a ton of information story-wise because of the choice of POVs-including a bunch of overlapping information. While the characters are lovely enough, they are not as dynamic as those in the other installments and getting that much access to their POVs lets out most of the tension in the relationship and the story. We figure out stuff long before they do. The last third or so of the book gets mighty repetitive - especially when you factor in the attacks, rescuing, healing carousel they put the hero through. But hey, at least it's the dude who keeps swooning/getting knocked unconscious/needing to be rescued I suppose?
February 26, 2025
An amazing, unique fantasy magical world, characters with a lot of character, a plot of mystery and adventure, and a very sweet, special, innocent love story. I was thrilled to see that the author was continuing with this original world and I'm looking forward to seeing where the tale goes from here.
March 25, 2018
There were some spectacular coincidences in this book on which the plot was dependent, probably too many. However, I couldn't help enjoying it all the same. Shinn has a way of writing characters that draws me in. This series still doesn't compare to her Twelve Houses, but it's good in its own way.
(I was bad and completely forgot to update here when I finished reading, so no detailed review for now. I've read too much in between to remember details.)
(I was bad and completely forgot to update here when I finished reading, so no detailed review for now. I've read too much in between to remember details.)
April 18, 2022
As with any good series, this entry is different from the first. Multiple challenges, several princesses, more than one questionable lineage, and a stronger romance made this an enjoyable story. It helped that the world-building had been done in the first book. However there were also some aspects that were a bit overdone. Rafe's superpower is to get beat up many times, and survive. And though the primes were not the lead characters, they end up saving the day.
Still, lots of fun, with enough twists to keep me intrigued. The ending was a bit rushed, but resolved all the plot lines.
I'll be reading the rest of the series.
Still, lots of fun, with enough twists to keep me intrigued. The ending was a bit rushed, but resolved all the plot lines.
I'll be reading the rest of the series.
January 9, 2016
Oh, what to say about this book? It was a real let down, let me start there.
That's pretty harsh, but I'm going to leave it because unfortunately it's true.
Josetta really interested me in the first book. I liked that she was quiet and fearful and seemed to actually understand that her life was in danger. I thought that an entire book about her would be really great, but the book fell flat for me. And it wasn't because of Josetta. She's probably the highlight of the story for me. I loved her consistency, her wisdom, her dedication to the slums, her quiet humour. I liked that she was passive yet critical. Many of the character relied on her to be a stablizing point in their lives, but also a guiding hand.
One annoyance was the lack of world development. Shinn spent the entire book recapping on things I already knew about the world. We know about the Blessings, how to pull them, how to sit and meditate on the benches in the temple, how to turn our Blessings into little trinkets, but you know what I don't know about them? Where the frick they came from. How they got started. Who assigned the attributes to which element. I know that Darren was close to the King, but you know what i don't know? How the everyday man lives. Whether or not they answer to the five families. Whether or not guilds exist. I just... Shinn's books are never that detailed as far as world building goes. She's no Jacqueline Carey. But in the Twelve Houses series, each book revealed a little more about the goddesses and the world. I really liked that each one contributed to my understanding of the people and the religions and the ultimate conflict. This series could easily have followed suit. But this second book just doesn't deliver.
Onwards.
Somehow, someway, the romance fell flat for me. It was just... I mean, every Shinn book is predictable. Duh. But this one was just a little too convenient.
Anyways. Things got a little intense there towards the end but ultimately I didn't care much about Rafe and his interests in the flying machines or what have you. I sorta shrugged when they conveniently worked out the plot (because at least this time I could roll my eyes and say "Oh Shinn")... But then.... BUT THEN....
Look. I have pet peeves. And consistency is one of them. Not only within a book, but within the actual writing itself. And this book. Sigh. Zoe's story ended nicely, neatly, succinctly. Sure, I could see a sequel happening, but there was no outstanding plotline to keep me hanging.
And then this dumbass book has to flagrantly use a cliffhanger (badly, I might add) to keep me going to the next book. I mean... Honestly. If could have ended with the happy, sappy ending and I still would have been interested in reading the next book. What happens at the very end of the book could have been the beginning of the third. It's jarring. It doesn't match your previous book at all, which was a complete story. (and, spoiler alert, it doesn't match the third book either, which also has a nice ending and tells a complete story). I mean really. Is this series supposed to be a trilogy? I hate when authors have to swing the readers from the second to the third book. I hate when second and third books seem more connected and the first book just sorta dangles out there. If this series continues, which I'd be fine with, then I'll be even more annoyed with the layout of this book because... ugh.
I'm tempted to go back and change my rating to a 2 but I'm going to stick with mercy and let the book have a 3. It was enjoyable and a fast read. I know I complained and knocked it pretty hard, but it's far from the worst second book I've read so. There ya go.
That's pretty harsh, but I'm going to leave it because unfortunately it's true.
Josetta really interested me in the first book. I liked that she was quiet and fearful and seemed to actually understand that her life was in danger. I thought that an entire book about her would be really great, but the book fell flat for me. And it wasn't because of Josetta. She's probably the highlight of the story for me. I loved her consistency, her wisdom, her dedication to the slums, her quiet humour. I liked that she was passive yet critical. Many of the character relied on her to be a stablizing point in their lives, but also a guiding hand.
One annoyance was the lack of world development. Shinn spent the entire book recapping on things I already knew about the world. We know about the Blessings, how to pull them, how to sit and meditate on the benches in the temple, how to turn our Blessings into little trinkets, but you know what I don't know about them? Where the frick they came from. How they got started. Who assigned the attributes to which element. I know that Darren was close to the King, but you know what i don't know? How the everyday man lives. Whether or not they answer to the five families. Whether or not guilds exist. I just... Shinn's books are never that detailed as far as world building goes. She's no Jacqueline Carey. But in the Twelve Houses series, each book revealed a little more about the goddesses and the world. I really liked that each one contributed to my understanding of the people and the religions and the ultimate conflict. This series could easily have followed suit. But this second book just doesn't deliver.
Onwards.
Somehow, someway, the romance fell flat for me. It was just... I mean, every Shinn book is predictable. Duh. But this one was just a little too convenient.
Anyways. Things got a little intense there towards the end but ultimately I didn't care much about Rafe and his interests in the flying machines or what have you. I sorta shrugged when they conveniently worked out the plot (because at least this time I could roll my eyes and say "Oh Shinn")... But then.... BUT THEN....
Look. I have pet peeves. And consistency is one of them. Not only within a book, but within the actual writing itself. And this book. Sigh. Zoe's story ended nicely, neatly, succinctly. Sure, I could see a sequel happening, but there was no outstanding plotline to keep me hanging.
And then this dumbass book has to flagrantly use a cliffhanger (badly, I might add) to keep me going to the next book. I mean... Honestly. If could have ended with the happy, sappy ending and I still would have been interested in reading the next book. What happens at the very end of the book could have been the beginning of the third. It's jarring. It doesn't match your previous book at all, which was a complete story. (and, spoiler alert, it doesn't match the third book either, which also has a nice ending and tells a complete story). I mean really. Is this series supposed to be a trilogy? I hate when authors have to swing the readers from the second to the third book. I hate when second and third books seem more connected and the first book just sorta dangles out there. If this series continues, which I'd be fine with, then I'll be even more annoyed with the layout of this book because... ugh.
I'm tempted to go back and change my rating to a 2 but I'm going to stick with mercy and let the book have a 3. It was enjoyable and a fast read. I know I complained and knocked it pretty hard, but it's far from the worst second book I've read so. There ya go.
March 15, 2018
A soothing read- nothing too outrageous, but a continued story of a ruling class with special powers. I love the idea of temples filled with bins of blessings and people stopping by to get their random slip of paper with their blessing(s) on it. It is neat, too, to think of a society that understands people through their gifts. In real life it could be confining, but here all these notions are as relaxing as watching original Star Treck episodes- even in its exciting moments it is still a sedate kind of creativity and sometimes there is really a need for that.
October 22, 2023
As good as Troubled Waters is, Royal Airs is immediately and decidedly better. Shinn pulls off in this series, her trademark fantasy fluff with sneaky little bits of darkness.
The big disparity between Troubled Waters and Royal Airs is that Shinn changes from a single third person limited POV to dual third person limited POVs. This allows for more consistently fast pacing, since, if Josetta isn’t doing anything exciting, Rafe can narrate for a while. Plus, with two POVs, you get to appreciate how voicey these third person limited perspectives are, in a way that didn’t entirely come across with Zoe.
Rafe, the love interest, actually opens the narration, and he is immediately charming. He makes his living as a card player in a seedy bar in the slums, and he’s a total rogue but also kind-hearted. He meets the princesses after rescuing Corene from creeps when she stumbled into the bar. Also, it’s really delightful to compare Josetta to Zoe, because on the surface, they have a lot of similarities. They’re both pretty mild and sweet and kind most of the time, disposed to help people, and fierce when roused. However, they’re completely different, and I love how much Sharon Shinn gets the complexities of people’s natures. It would be so easy to make Josetta an unlikable, saintly sort, but she’s a real, flawed girl, and I love her.
In a lot of ways, Royal Airs is a typical fantasy plot turned on its head. Rafe, the charming rogue, is rescued over and over again by Josetta. Though he’s strong and vital, he needs her calming guidance. It’s a recurring joke in the series that Rafe always ends up getting beaten up or injured and needing Josetta to care for him; he’s frustrated that he’s always weak in front of her, but she doesn’t mind at all.
Rafe and Josetta don’t have the powerful bantery romance that gets my heart going most easily, but Shinn totally makes their connection work for me. I also appreciate that of the three Shinn novels I’ve read thus far, they have the most physically passionate connection. I cheered when Josetta straight up told his little brother that Rafe would be staying in her room. Royal Airs is the sexiest and most sex positive of the Shinn novels I’ve read thus far.
The plot’s a delight, told in typical Shinn fashion, meaning that drama is played down most of the time and things can be oddly anticlimactic but it also just works, but that there will come a scene where you’re like HOLY SHIT DID THAT JUST HAPPEN??? Shinn plots are largely fluffy but not in a way that makes things turn out impossibly perfect. I absolutely LOVE that Shinn basically turns the whole plot into a series of charming shippy tropes, like tending to your injured love and needing to be together a lot because reasons and it’s the best.
I’m a bit skeptical of the romance set up for the next novel, but I love the plot set up, and lbr I suspect Shinn could make me ship anything. Royal Airs is definitely battling it out with Summers at Castle Auburn as my favorite Shinn novel.
The big disparity between Troubled Waters and Royal Airs is that Shinn changes from a single third person limited POV to dual third person limited POVs. This allows for more consistently fast pacing, since, if Josetta isn’t doing anything exciting, Rafe can narrate for a while. Plus, with two POVs, you get to appreciate how voicey these third person limited perspectives are, in a way that didn’t entirely come across with Zoe.
Rafe, the love interest, actually opens the narration, and he is immediately charming. He makes his living as a card player in a seedy bar in the slums, and he’s a total rogue but also kind-hearted. He meets the princesses after rescuing Corene from creeps when she stumbled into the bar. Also, it’s really delightful to compare Josetta to Zoe, because on the surface, they have a lot of similarities. They’re both pretty mild and sweet and kind most of the time, disposed to help people, and fierce when roused. However, they’re completely different, and I love how much Sharon Shinn gets the complexities of people’s natures. It would be so easy to make Josetta an unlikable, saintly sort, but she’s a real, flawed girl, and I love her.
In a lot of ways, Royal Airs is a typical fantasy plot turned on its head. Rafe, the charming rogue, is rescued over and over again by Josetta. Though he’s strong and vital, he needs her calming guidance. It’s a recurring joke in the series that Rafe always ends up getting beaten up or injured and needing Josetta to care for him; he’s frustrated that he’s always weak in front of her, but she doesn’t mind at all.
Rafe and Josetta don’t have the powerful bantery romance that gets my heart going most easily, but Shinn totally makes their connection work for me. I also appreciate that of the three Shinn novels I’ve read thus far, they have the most physically passionate connection. I cheered when Josetta straight up told his little brother that Rafe would be staying in her room. Royal Airs is the sexiest and most sex positive of the Shinn novels I’ve read thus far.
The plot’s a delight, told in typical Shinn fashion, meaning that drama is played down most of the time and things can be oddly anticlimactic but it also just works, but that there will come a scene where you’re like HOLY SHIT DID THAT JUST HAPPEN??? Shinn plots are largely fluffy but not in a way that makes things turn out impossibly perfect. I absolutely LOVE that Shinn basically turns the whole plot into a series of charming shippy tropes, like tending to your injured love and needing to be together a lot because reasons and it’s the best.
I’m a bit skeptical of the romance set up for the next novel, but I love the plot set up, and lbr I suspect Shinn could make me ship anything. Royal Airs is definitely battling it out with Summers at Castle Auburn as my favorite Shinn novel.
November 12, 2013
This is a tough book to rate - I probably added a gratuitous fourth star just because I was so happy to read a Sharon Shinn book that wasn't part of that dismal shapeshifter series. Royal Airs returns readers to the kingdom of Welce that was introduced three years ago in Troubled Waters. The setting is an intriguing mix of fairy-tale and Industrial Revolution - people have one of five personality types, with portentous blessings associated with each, but, in a more modern touch, rudimentary automobiles are in use and airplanes are being tested (with a great deal of risk).
The hero of the novel, Rafe, is a rootless gambler who learns that he has more to offer than he thought. I liked him a lot, and felt invested in his journey of discovery, but was less enthusiastic about the heroine, Princess Josetta, who was introduced in Waters. She has an admirable dedication to the poor residents of the kingdom, but she doesn't do anything particularly heroic or memorable. She especially pales in comparison to the few glimpses we get of Zoe, the heroine from Waters, who continues to display her awesome ability to control the kingdom's water supply and discern blood relationships by touch. Compared to her, Josetta is a bit of a wimp.
I enjoyed spending time with the characters who were previously introduced, and appreciated re-familiarizing myself with the Welce customs, so I'm going with a four-star rating. The book's ending indicates that at least one more book in this series is planned, although Shinn's website only notes an upcoming shapeshifter novel (ugh) so it may be three years again before we see another Elemental Blessings novel. I hope not - this series has the potential to be as engaging as Shinn's Twelve Houses novels.
The hero of the novel, Rafe, is a rootless gambler who learns that he has more to offer than he thought. I liked him a lot, and felt invested in his journey of discovery, but was less enthusiastic about the heroine, Princess Josetta, who was introduced in Waters. She has an admirable dedication to the poor residents of the kingdom, but she doesn't do anything particularly heroic or memorable. She especially pales in comparison to the few glimpses we get of Zoe, the heroine from Waters, who continues to display her awesome ability to control the kingdom's water supply and discern blood relationships by touch. Compared to her, Josetta is a bit of a wimp.
I enjoyed spending time with the characters who were previously introduced, and appreciated re-familiarizing myself with the Welce customs, so I'm going with a four-star rating. The book's ending indicates that at least one more book in this series is planned, although Shinn's website only notes an upcoming shapeshifter novel (ugh) so it may be three years again before we see another Elemental Blessings novel. I hope not - this series has the potential to be as engaging as Shinn's Twelve Houses novels.
April 1, 2023
Reread in March 2023 - soothes my very soul.
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Reread in January 2021 - doesn't get much better than that. I reread this every year.
Reread in January 2020 - what can I say about this book that I haven't said yet? Such an amazing novel and so close to my heart. Love, love, love.
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Reread in June 2019 - SUBLIME
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Reread in January 2019. Just wonderful. I loved the romance in this very much and Rafe is a wonderful new character.
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Absolutely impeccable from beginning to end. Nothing to add, nothing to remove. The characters are like family to me now, and the court intrigue's riveting as usual. I love love LOVE that the characters we grew attached to in the first novel (Zoe in particular, who's my absolute favourite) make an appearance here not even as secondary characters but firmly as other main characters, with the rest of their story enfolding. There's a sense of place in this book that's just wonderful, and I just can't get praise this book enough. It's a book that also questions the meaning of ancient institutions and classes while giving you a wonderful romance and great heroines (Josetta, my love!)
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Original review:
This was more enjoyable than the third - more magic, and the mysteries were a bit more engaging I thought. All in all this was really well-rounded with just enough new characters to keep it fresh and old ones to keep it familiar. I'm a little sad we didn't learn much more in terms of worldbuilding except for very unsavoury practices in a foreign country which raises both ethical and demographic issues that aren't really touched upon. Still cosy, with lovely details of friendship and sisterly affection.
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Reread in January 2021 - doesn't get much better than that. I reread this every year.
Reread in January 2020 - what can I say about this book that I haven't said yet? Such an amazing novel and so close to my heart. Love, love, love.
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Reread in June 2019 - SUBLIME
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Reread in January 2019. Just wonderful. I loved the romance in this very much and Rafe is a wonderful new character.
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Absolutely impeccable from beginning to end. Nothing to add, nothing to remove. The characters are like family to me now, and the court intrigue's riveting as usual. I love love LOVE that the characters we grew attached to in the first novel (Zoe in particular, who's my absolute favourite) make an appearance here not even as secondary characters but firmly as other main characters, with the rest of their story enfolding. There's a sense of place in this book that's just wonderful, and I just can't get praise this book enough. It's a book that also questions the meaning of ancient institutions and classes while giving you a wonderful romance and great heroines (Josetta, my love!)
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Original review:
This was more enjoyable than the third - more magic, and the mysteries were a bit more engaging I thought. All in all this was really well-rounded with just enough new characters to keep it fresh and old ones to keep it familiar. I'm a little sad we didn't learn much more in terms of worldbuilding except for very unsavoury practices in a foreign country which raises both ethical and demographic issues that aren't really touched upon. Still cosy, with lovely details of friendship and sisterly affection.
August 22, 2016
This book focuses on Josetta, the oldest princess from Troubled Waters, and her love interest Rafe – a farmer’s son turned professional gambler who .
Josetta is a princess and in line for the throne – and yet she runs a homeless shelter (!) and wanders around town like it’s no big deal. SHE IS A PRINCESS. She also hooks up with commoner/gambler Rafe, and no one bats an eye. In the land of Elemental Blessings, class means very little.
This being basically a fantasy romcom, a convenient romantic subterfuge is cooked up: Rafe needs protection, so Josetta pretends to date him, letting her guards protect him while also protecting her. Of course, this means Josetta and Rafe have to be basically inseparable. Romantic hijinks ensue!
Too much time is spent on Josetta's homeless shelter and Rafe becoming a pilot. This sadly takes away from what Elemental Blessings does best: political intrigue. Political advisor Darien (the romantic hero from the first book) and the manipulative king's wife Alys bring more spark to the book in their (too brief) appearances than Josetta and Rafe do the entire book.
Josetta is a princess and in line for the throne – and yet she runs a homeless shelter (!) and wanders around town like it’s no big deal. SHE IS A PRINCESS. She also hooks up with commoner/gambler Rafe, and no one bats an eye. In the land of Elemental Blessings, class means very little.
This being basically a fantasy romcom, a convenient romantic subterfuge is cooked up: Rafe needs protection, so Josetta pretends to date him, letting her guards protect him while also protecting her. Of course, this means Josetta and Rafe have to be basically inseparable. Romantic hijinks ensue!
Too much time is spent on Josetta's homeless shelter and Rafe becoming a pilot. This sadly takes away from what Elemental Blessings does best: political intrigue. Political advisor Darien (the romantic hero from the first book) and the manipulative king's wife Alys bring more spark to the book in their (too brief) appearances than Josetta and Rafe do the entire book.
December 28, 2013
Josetta is the eldest of four princesses within the kingdom of Welce, though she bears no actual blood ties to the former king. As such, she is now one of several displaced heirs to the throne, which means she is free to serve her kingdom as she wishes: by running a shelter for the poor and destitute in the roughest portion of the capital city.
Rafe is a gambler, living off luck and an occasional stacked deck. When Josetta and her younger sister breeze in and out his life, he has no expectations of seeing either of them again.
Then a band of ruffians attack. Soon Rafe is swept up: into the healing ministrations of the shelter’s royal owner, the mystery of his own past, and a danger that demands he spend all his days with Josetta. Not a particularly bad hand--if you ask Rafe.
So much fun! A princess torn between personal dreams and royal obligations. A gambler with unknown heritage. A kingdom on the precipice of change. And a few flying airships thrown into the mix. Definitely my kind of story. I’m loving this series and can’t wait for the next one.
Rafe is a gambler, living off luck and an occasional stacked deck. When Josetta and her younger sister breeze in and out his life, he has no expectations of seeing either of them again.
Then a band of ruffians attack. Soon Rafe is swept up: into the healing ministrations of the shelter’s royal owner, the mystery of his own past, and a danger that demands he spend all his days with Josetta. Not a particularly bad hand--if you ask Rafe.
So much fun! A princess torn between personal dreams and royal obligations. A gambler with unknown heritage. A kingdom on the precipice of change. And a few flying airships thrown into the mix. Definitely my kind of story. I’m loving this series and can’t wait for the next one.
January 5, 2014
This second book in the Elemental Blessings series is as engaging as the first, Troubled Waters. A princess no longer, Josetta has been spending her time helping the poor in a seedy area of town. But when her sister visits and is harassed by ruffians, gambler Rafe Adova intervenes. From then on, fate pits Josetta and Rafe together. Their destinies are entwined in a way neither could have foreseen, involving foreign mercenaries, visiting royalty, and cunning politicians. Can they escape unscathed when assassins are bent on Rafe’s murder? What secrets lie buried in his background to make him a target? To protect him, Josetta has to stick close, and it’s not a hardship for the young noblewoman who develops a fondness for him. But to keep him alive might be more of a challenge. Excellent world building makes you eager for more in this saga.
April 2, 2017
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this revisit of the Elemental Blessings world as it reminded me of how much I enjoyed the first book about Zoe. Unfortunately, this story wasn't quite as exciting. Josetta and Rafe both were eminently likeable...but boring. Likewise, the book covered a lot of political maneuvering and posturing but little action. While Josetta and Rafe's story was completed and some important background world events decided, it all seemed liked a filler on which to build other stories in this series.
I'll look forward to the next book about Corene, whose fiery temperament promises a more interesting ride.
I enjoyed this revisit of the Elemental Blessings world as it reminded me of how much I enjoyed the first book about Zoe. Unfortunately, this story wasn't quite as exciting. Josetta and Rafe both were eminently likeable...but boring. Likewise, the book covered a lot of political maneuvering and posturing but little action. While Josetta and Rafe's story was completed and some important background world events decided, it all seemed liked a filler on which to build other stories in this series.
I'll look forward to the next book about Corene, whose fiery temperament promises a more interesting ride.
November 13, 2013
3.5 stars
Warning: romance has resolution but plot ends on a cliff-hanger (set-up for next book).
Anyone else think it was odd that every sex scene is immediately proceeded by some combination of stab wounds/major assault survival/airplane crash for the hero??? I found this quite odd, if not disturbing AND improbable. (Maybe it's just me, but it came off quite sadomasochistically--surely not intentionally??
Warning: romance has resolution but plot ends on a cliff-hanger (set-up for next book).
Anyone else think it was odd that every sex scene is immediately proceeded by some combination of stab wounds/major assault survival/airplane crash for the hero??? I found this quite odd, if not disturbing AND improbable. (Maybe it's just me, but it came off quite sadomasochistically--surely not intentionally??
November 4, 2016
A decent read, but not one of Shinn’s best, IMO. The story was on the predictable side of things, and Rand/Josetta’s relationship felt a bit too much like insta-love. Having said that, I have such a soft spot for the world of Welce and its elemental blessings, and I’d love to see more in this world.
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