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Ironskin #3
Silverblind
The final book in this series will jump forward 18 years and feature Dorie, Jane's young charge from Ironskin.
18 years later . . .
Dorie Rochart has been hiding her fey side for a long time. Now, finished with University, she plans to study magical creatures and plants in the wild, bringing long-forgotten cures to those in need. But when no one will hire a girl to fight basilisks, she releases her shapechanging fey powers--to disguise herself as a boy.
While hunting for wyvern eggs, she saves a young scientist who's about to get steamed by a silvertail-- and finds her childhood friend Tam Grimsby, to whom she hasn't spoken in seven years. Not since she traded him to the fey. She can't bear to tell him who she really is, but every day grows harder as he comes to trust her.
The wyverns are being hunted to extinction for the powerful compounds in their eggs. The fey are dying out as humans grow in power. Now Tam and Dorie will have to decide which side they will fight for. And if they end up on opposite sides, can their returning friendship survive?
18 years later . . .
Dorie Rochart has been hiding her fey side for a long time. Now, finished with University, she plans to study magical creatures and plants in the wild, bringing long-forgotten cures to those in need. But when no one will hire a girl to fight basilisks, she releases her shapechanging fey powers--to disguise herself as a boy.
While hunting for wyvern eggs, she saves a young scientist who's about to get steamed by a silvertail-- and finds her childhood friend Tam Grimsby, to whom she hasn't spoken in seven years. Not since she traded him to the fey. She can't bear to tell him who she really is, but every day grows harder as he comes to trust her.
The wyverns are being hunted to extinction for the powerful compounds in their eggs. The fey are dying out as humans grow in power. Now Tam and Dorie will have to decide which side they will fight for. And if they end up on opposite sides, can their returning friendship survive?
Unknown Binding
First published October 7, 2014
5 people are currently reading
1454 people want to read
About the author
Tina Connolly
67 books458 followersTina Connolly's books include the Ironskin trilogy (Tor), the Seriously Wicked series (Tor Teen), the collection On the Eyeball Floor (Fairwood Press), and the Choose Your Own Adventure Glitterpony Farm. She has been a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Norton, and World Fantasy awards. She co-hosts the science fiction podcast Escape Pod, runs the intermittent flash fiction podcast Toasted Cake, and is at tinaconnolly.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 4, 2014
I have loved this series from the very beginning. It has a rather fun and original take on the fae with a slight steampunk Victorian feel that just makes it hard to resist.
This is one of the few series that even though this is the last book, I wasn't nervous in the least to read it. I just knew I was going to be in for a grand adventure and that is exactly what Connolly delivered with. In fact, I think this is by far my favorite book of the trilogy.
I loved Dorie. She isn't necessarily a fierce warrior or even a kick butt one but she is a headstrong girl that goes after what she wants. She has made a lot of mistakes in her life and being half fey, doesn't always know where she fits in in a world that is against everything she is a part of. She feels like she needs to atone for the sins of her family and fae heritage while also protecting them and her very human family and friends. She is torn between two lives, two worlds and it has taken her a lot to get to where she is by the story's end but I loved her journey.
I loved seeing glimpses of Jane and Helen (narrators of book one and two) and then of course seeing Dorie and Tam grow up and become adults. To see where everyone is in their lives, the battles they are fighting and how much the world they live in has both grown and become stunted with prejudice and hate.
This was a wonderfully written and satisfying conclusion to the series and one I soon won't be forgetting.
This is one of the few series that even though this is the last book, I wasn't nervous in the least to read it. I just knew I was going to be in for a grand adventure and that is exactly what Connolly delivered with. In fact, I think this is by far my favorite book of the trilogy.
I loved Dorie. She isn't necessarily a fierce warrior or even a kick butt one but she is a headstrong girl that goes after what she wants. She has made a lot of mistakes in her life and being half fey, doesn't always know where she fits in in a world that is against everything she is a part of. She feels like she needs to atone for the sins of her family and fae heritage while also protecting them and her very human family and friends. She is torn between two lives, two worlds and it has taken her a lot to get to where she is by the story's end but I loved her journey.
I loved seeing glimpses of Jane and Helen (narrators of book one and two) and then of course seeing Dorie and Tam grow up and become adults. To see where everyone is in their lives, the battles they are fighting and how much the world they live in has both grown and become stunted with prejudice and hate.
This was a wonderfully written and satisfying conclusion to the series and one I soon won't be forgetting.
October 13, 2014
Four stars: A fantastic, historical fantasy read with fey and other mythical creatures
Dorie Rochart is now twenty three years old, a new college graduate, looking for a job in a male dominated world. Dorie has her heart set on field work for the Queen's Lab, but the high ranking men, refuse to give her a second glance despite her exceptional resume. The only job Dorie can procure at the lab is to be eye candy. Frustrated, Dorie taps into her fey side. The side of herself that she hid away eight years ago. With her fey powers awake, Dorie decides to transform into a boy. As Dorian, she lands that job, but she soon finds that her dream job is not everything she hoped. Dorie is sent out to retrieve Wyvern eggs, a deadly task for almost anyone, but as part fey, it isn't so hard for Dorie. Once she has the eggs, Dorie must make a choice, does she turn the egg over to the lab, or does she do the right thing? Dorie finds herself grappling with some hefty choices, and her decisions could effect fey and mankind forever. Will she make the correct choice?
What I Liked:
*This is a series that I have enjoyed watching mature and grow. I can wholeheartedly say, that this is a trilogy that got better and better as it went along. I love that this trilogy is a blend of historical and fantasy. If you like books infused with fey with a historical setting, give this series a try. I have found that these books can be read out of order or as stand alones as each book is a complete story, but I urge you to read all three to get the full picture.
*Dorie,at twenty three, is far removed from the strange fairy girl we first met in Ironskin. Dorie is plucky, resourceful, intelligent and determined to do the right thing even if it means losing her rent money or endangering herself. I admired Dorie's courage and I liked that she made altruistic choices time and time again. I enjoyed watching her grown, and I liked seeing her tap into her fey powers and become a boy in order to take down the men who refused to give a women a job because of her sex. Go Dorie!
*I liked that Ms. Connolly touched on numerous themes in her story that still affect us today in our modern world. First, there is the theme of equality for women. Granted, we have come a long way, but it still exists today. Dorie as a young lady, comes face to face with inequality as she tries to land a job. I loved seeing her war with the men and fool them. *Second, there were many themes involving harm to the environment for human gain. Once the magical properties of the wyvern eggs is discovered, it isn't long before those seeking a profit pillage and destroy the environment and the wyvern all for money. How often do we continue to see that in our world? In the end, I was pleased at how these issues were resolved in the story.
*I enjoyed seeing Dorie fight for the fey. The fey have long been feared by humans after the Great War. Since the defeat of the Fey Queen, the fey have retreated into the forest, trying to hide from humans, and things have been better, that is until humans storm into the woods in order to seize the power from the fey. Dorie becomes an unexpected champion not only for the fey but also for the wyverns and basilisks. I was thrilled to see her take up the cause and help do the right thing.
*The world building has strengthened in this series. I love this alternate world Ms. Connolly has created filled with fey and paranormal creatures. The plot and the world building are smart and sophisticated, definitely worth checking out.
The romance is rather simple and straightforward. It is a romance that has endured some big stumbles and one that seemed to be squelched. It is realistic and slow burning. I love that there isn't any insta love or love triangles.
*I appreciate that each book in this series is a complete story. You can certainly read them as stand alones, but I like that I was able to catch up with both Jane and Helen down the line and see how they have fared. Ms. Connolly does an excellent job with the recap so if you do pick this one up without having read the others, you won't be lost.
And The Not So Much:
*I was confused at the beginning of the book when wyverns and basilisks came into the picture. I had no idea what a wyvern was and there wasn't a lot of description. As far as the basilisk goes, I thought it was a large snake. I had to google both wyverns and basilisks in order to grasp that they were bird like creatures with dragon qualities. It would have been helpful to have a bit more detail on both of these creatures in the book.
*I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more of Helen and Jane in the book. They both make small appearances, but I was hoping that they would have bigger roles. Not a big deal, just a personal preference.
*I was hoping for a bit more with the romance, even though I liked that it was simple, after all the uproar I wanted butterflies and fireworks, but that didn't happen. Still I was pleased with the way it all played out.
Silverblind is a fitting end to an exciting, historical/fantasy series. I have enjoyed getting to know these three different girls and watch them fight. I am sad to say goodbye, but on the other hand, I am excited to see what Connolly will dream up next. If you are looking for a smart series I highly recommend checking out Connolly's Ironskin Series.
Favorite Quotations:
"Hope comes along when you least expect it. You have to fight for your cause."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Dorie Rochart is now twenty three years old, a new college graduate, looking for a job in a male dominated world. Dorie has her heart set on field work for the Queen's Lab, but the high ranking men, refuse to give her a second glance despite her exceptional resume. The only job Dorie can procure at the lab is to be eye candy. Frustrated, Dorie taps into her fey side. The side of herself that she hid away eight years ago. With her fey powers awake, Dorie decides to transform into a boy. As Dorian, she lands that job, but she soon finds that her dream job is not everything she hoped. Dorie is sent out to retrieve Wyvern eggs, a deadly task for almost anyone, but as part fey, it isn't so hard for Dorie. Once she has the eggs, Dorie must make a choice, does she turn the egg over to the lab, or does she do the right thing? Dorie finds herself grappling with some hefty choices, and her decisions could effect fey and mankind forever. Will she make the correct choice?
What I Liked:
*This is a series that I have enjoyed watching mature and grow. I can wholeheartedly say, that this is a trilogy that got better and better as it went along. I love that this trilogy is a blend of historical and fantasy. If you like books infused with fey with a historical setting, give this series a try. I have found that these books can be read out of order or as stand alones as each book is a complete story, but I urge you to read all three to get the full picture.
*Dorie,at twenty three, is far removed from the strange fairy girl we first met in Ironskin. Dorie is plucky, resourceful, intelligent and determined to do the right thing even if it means losing her rent money or endangering herself. I admired Dorie's courage and I liked that she made altruistic choices time and time again. I enjoyed watching her grown, and I liked seeing her tap into her fey powers and become a boy in order to take down the men who refused to give a women a job because of her sex. Go Dorie!
*I liked that Ms. Connolly touched on numerous themes in her story that still affect us today in our modern world. First, there is the theme of equality for women. Granted, we have come a long way, but it still exists today. Dorie as a young lady, comes face to face with inequality as she tries to land a job. I loved seeing her war with the men and fool them. *Second, there were many themes involving harm to the environment for human gain. Once the magical properties of the wyvern eggs is discovered, it isn't long before those seeking a profit pillage and destroy the environment and the wyvern all for money. How often do we continue to see that in our world? In the end, I was pleased at how these issues were resolved in the story.
*I enjoyed seeing Dorie fight for the fey. The fey have long been feared by humans after the Great War. Since the defeat of the Fey Queen, the fey have retreated into the forest, trying to hide from humans, and things have been better, that is until humans storm into the woods in order to seize the power from the fey. Dorie becomes an unexpected champion not only for the fey but also for the wyverns and basilisks. I was thrilled to see her take up the cause and help do the right thing.
*The world building has strengthened in this series. I love this alternate world Ms. Connolly has created filled with fey and paranormal creatures. The plot and the world building are smart and sophisticated, definitely worth checking out.
The romance is rather simple and straightforward. It is a romance that has endured some big stumbles and one that seemed to be squelched. It is realistic and slow burning. I love that there isn't any insta love or love triangles.
*I appreciate that each book in this series is a complete story. You can certainly read them as stand alones, but I like that I was able to catch up with both Jane and Helen down the line and see how they have fared. Ms. Connolly does an excellent job with the recap so if you do pick this one up without having read the others, you won't be lost.
And The Not So Much:
*I was confused at the beginning of the book when wyverns and basilisks came into the picture. I had no idea what a wyvern was and there wasn't a lot of description. As far as the basilisk goes, I thought it was a large snake. I had to google both wyverns and basilisks in order to grasp that they were bird like creatures with dragon qualities. It would have been helpful to have a bit more detail on both of these creatures in the book.
*I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more of Helen and Jane in the book. They both make small appearances, but I was hoping that they would have bigger roles. Not a big deal, just a personal preference.
*I was hoping for a bit more with the romance, even though I liked that it was simple, after all the uproar I wanted butterflies and fireworks, but that didn't happen. Still I was pleased with the way it all played out.
Silverblind is a fitting end to an exciting, historical/fantasy series. I have enjoyed getting to know these three different girls and watch them fight. I am sad to say goodbye, but on the other hand, I am excited to see what Connolly will dream up next. If you are looking for a smart series I highly recommend checking out Connolly's Ironskin Series.
Favorite Quotations:
"Hope comes along when you least expect it. You have to fight for your cause."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 12, 2015
Silverblind is the third book in the Ironskin series. Since I received this book for review and haven't read the first two books, I still enjoyed it as a standalone. Through the book you're able to understand Dorie's history and her past which was very helpful.
Dorie is half human/half fey but she's been trying to put her fey side away for years. Now that she's trying to get a job at Queen's Lab for field work to study wyverns and basilisks. The only problem is that noone wants to hire a woman so it forces her to use her fey powers to change into a man, Dorian. While starting work for Queen's Lab, she discovers the horrible truth about why wyrens' eggs are so popular and why every single person wants them. Now that she has her cousin Tam on her side (who still doesn't know that she is his cousin), they will try to help ironskins, people who were the victims in Human vs. Fey battle that ended years ago.
A lot of reviews that I've read said that it is important that you read first two books. Well I didn't do that and think that I was still keeping up with the story. This is why I really liked it because you can still see how amazing Dorie is. She knows that because of her fey side, she has the stunning looks but she doesn't care about that. She doesn't want people to look at her and think she's only a subject. She wants to be out on the field to actually study and work. The book is a little on the slow pace but it is still entertaining. Plus, the author manages to create a perfect steampunk world with just elements of fey that do play a big role but also keep the reader in the reality.
Dorie is half human/half fey but she's been trying to put her fey side away for years. Now that she's trying to get a job at Queen's Lab for field work to study wyverns and basilisks. The only problem is that noone wants to hire a woman so it forces her to use her fey powers to change into a man, Dorian. While starting work for Queen's Lab, she discovers the horrible truth about why wyrens' eggs are so popular and why every single person wants them. Now that she has her cousin Tam on her side (who still doesn't know that she is his cousin), they will try to help ironskins, people who were the victims in Human vs. Fey battle that ended years ago.
A lot of reviews that I've read said that it is important that you read first two books. Well I didn't do that and think that I was still keeping up with the story. This is why I really liked it because you can still see how amazing Dorie is. She knows that because of her fey side, she has the stunning looks but she doesn't care about that. She doesn't want people to look at her and think she's only a subject. She wants to be out on the field to actually study and work. The book is a little on the slow pace but it is still entertaining. Plus, the author manages to create a perfect steampunk world with just elements of fey that do play a big role but also keep the reader in the reality.
November 8, 2014
Another brilliant story by the amazingly talented and wonderfully creative Tina Connolly.
You may remember the protagonist, Dorie, as the stubborn young child we were first introduced to in the Ironskin debut. This story takes us forward 18 years and presents us with a more likable, mature version of the troublesome half-fey child we once knew.
I found Dorie to be an admirable heroine and I immediately felt a connection to her character. I adored her both because of her unique abilities (a result of her half-fey heritage) and her determination to help others, even when it meant placing herself at risk. She was selfless, strong-willed, and unwavering in her beliefs.
Dorie was also blessed with fey beauty, but instead of using this to her advantage when attempting to secure a job in a male-dominated career, she resents her perfect appearance. By disguising herself as a man she is able to get a job in the field collecting wyvern eggs and becomes privy to several of the Crown's secrets. But instead of being able to use her new position to do good as she had originally planned, she quickly realizes that those around her are only interested in money and power.
During her journey she finds herself teaming up with Tam, a cousin she betrayed many years ago. She's concerned about what his reaction may be to her so she maintains her Dorian disguise and he never realizes who the person really is that he is forming a friendship with.
I thought the development between Dorie and Tam's characters was interesting, but it really took a back seat to the rest of the story. There were just too many other things that held my attention so what happened between Dorie and Tam just didn't seem as important to me.
The magical world that Connolly has created puts a unique spin on the fey and introduces us to fantastical creatures like wyverns and basiliks. It's an imaginative, richly-detailed world that any fantasy fan would enjoy. I highly recommend this series.
You may remember the protagonist, Dorie, as the stubborn young child we were first introduced to in the Ironskin debut. This story takes us forward 18 years and presents us with a more likable, mature version of the troublesome half-fey child we once knew.
I found Dorie to be an admirable heroine and I immediately felt a connection to her character. I adored her both because of her unique abilities (a result of her half-fey heritage) and her determination to help others, even when it meant placing herself at risk. She was selfless, strong-willed, and unwavering in her beliefs.
Dorie was also blessed with fey beauty, but instead of using this to her advantage when attempting to secure a job in a male-dominated career, she resents her perfect appearance. By disguising herself as a man she is able to get a job in the field collecting wyvern eggs and becomes privy to several of the Crown's secrets. But instead of being able to use her new position to do good as she had originally planned, she quickly realizes that those around her are only interested in money and power.
During her journey she finds herself teaming up with Tam, a cousin she betrayed many years ago. She's concerned about what his reaction may be to her so she maintains her Dorian disguise and he never realizes who the person really is that he is forming a friendship with.
I thought the development between Dorie and Tam's characters was interesting, but it really took a back seat to the rest of the story. There were just too many other things that held my attention so what happened between Dorie and Tam just didn't seem as important to me.
The magical world that Connolly has created puts a unique spin on the fey and introduces us to fantastical creatures like wyverns and basiliks. It's an imaginative, richly-detailed world that any fantasy fan would enjoy. I highly recommend this series.
January 8, 2015
*Genre* Steampunk, Fantasy
*Rating* 4
*My Thoughts*
Silverblind is the final installment in the Ironskin series. The story features Adora ‘Dorie’ Rochart who readers met as a 5 year old child in the book Ironskin. 18 years later, Dorie has graduated from college and is in search of her first job. Dorie wants to work as a field researcher for Queen’s Lab but because she is a woman and her fey beauty, she is shoved aside for her male compatriots.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Tor Books
*Rating* 4
*My Thoughts*
Silverblind is the final installment in the Ironskin series. The story features Adora ‘Dorie’ Rochart who readers met as a 5 year old child in the book Ironskin. 18 years later, Dorie has graduated from college and is in search of her first job. Dorie wants to work as a field researcher for Queen’s Lab but because she is a woman and her fey beauty, she is shoved aside for her male compatriots.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Tor Books
November 3, 2014
My love for these books knows no bounds. Dora is wonderful, she is a scientist studying wyverns and basilisks, how much better does it get? Connolly has created an amazing world and uses it to make moving points about the women's equality movement and racism. The romance is heart wrenching and the plot twists are subtle but mind blowing. Just read this book okay?
October 6, 2014
4 1/2 Stars
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Silverblind is the third and final installment in the Ironskin series following heroine Adora ‘Dorie’ Rochart who readers met as a child in the first book Ironskin. Fast-forward 18 years, readers finds Dorie who just graduated from college in search of her first job. Dorie has her heart set on The Queen’s Lab as a field researcher, one of the most prestigious government jobs around and the position is only intended for men. After going to three interviews and getting rejected from all three for her gender, Dorie best friend/roommate Jacqueline ‘Jack’ suggests that Dorie uses her Fey powers to impersonate a boy. Doors usually only available to men are suddenly open to Dorie as she becomes ‘Dorian’, finally doing what she loves which is researching in the woods where the fey lives. Through her disguise Dorie begins to hunt Wyverns for experiments, discovering that the Wyvern eggs’s abilities to kill the fey and cure those that are ironskin (humans touched by fey)…and that her cousin Tam whom she hasn’t seen for over a decade is working at the Queen’s Lab. Tam hasn’t spoke to Dorie or forgiven her for her betrayal all those years ago, and now that Dorie has a chance to seek forgiveness she can’t stuck as a boy.
I haven’t read the first two books in the series but Silverblind read perfectly as a standalone. After reading a few pages, I was able to follow along with the story with no problems. Connolly did a great job summarizing the previous books without bogging the readers with too much information, it was just enough to help readers understand what is going on and the history /background of the character were sprinkled and incorporated in a way without disrupting the flow of the story. Silverblind focuses on Dorie and Tam going against the Crown by using their knowledge of the Wyvern eggs and the tales of the legendary/Mythical Basilisk to help/cure the remaining ironskin (human touched by feys afflicted with a particular problem, ex: excruciating hunger, anger, fear or visions to name a few). Readers also learn more about the Feys and where they originated as well as other creatures that dwell in the woods.
I absolutely adored Dorie and Tam. Dorie is half human- half fey but she isn’t one that cares about power or fey beauty. Instead of using her powers, she kept it locked away since that fateful last day she saw Tam dulling her true appearance and abilities. It isn’t till 18 years later that she unlocked her other half, but even then it isn’t for selfish means. She uses her powers to turn herself into an average joe guy to get a job to help others, the Ironskins and the poor. Dorie was a very likeable and competent heroine. It was fun to see her switch from Dorie to Dorian, trying to play two characters (which was harder with a baby Wyvern practically attached to her like an extra limb) and all the craziness that ensue. Tam, Dorie Cousin (not by blood) was an excellent male lead…he is pretty much a male version of Dorie…which is probably why I liked him just as much. There were many flashbacks of Dorie and Tam as children, and while I’m not usually a fan of flashback…I must admit I enjoyed theirs. It gave readers a glimpse into their history and why they haven’t spoken for 18 years. When Dorie and Tam broach the subject about what Dorie did to Tam all those years ago it was so heart wrenching. I definitely felt the characters’ emotion as if I was living it myself.
I really enjoyed Silverblind. The whole masquerading as a boy felt very Mulan-esqe to me and made for a fun and engaging read. Silverblind is a fairly short and quick read but it was action packed from start to finish. I love the world building, Victorian setting, well developed plot and unique cast of characters. My only complaint is that I wished the book was longer! For fans of the Ironskin trilogy, I’m happy to report that both Jane and Helen make an appearance. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy or is looking for a different take of faeries/fey.
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Silverblind is the third and final installment in the Ironskin series following heroine Adora ‘Dorie’ Rochart who readers met as a child in the first book Ironskin. Fast-forward 18 years, readers finds Dorie who just graduated from college in search of her first job. Dorie has her heart set on The Queen’s Lab as a field researcher, one of the most prestigious government jobs around and the position is only intended for men. After going to three interviews and getting rejected from all three for her gender, Dorie best friend/roommate Jacqueline ‘Jack’ suggests that Dorie uses her Fey powers to impersonate a boy. Doors usually only available to men are suddenly open to Dorie as she becomes ‘Dorian’, finally doing what she loves which is researching in the woods where the fey lives. Through her disguise Dorie begins to hunt Wyverns for experiments, discovering that the Wyvern eggs’s abilities to kill the fey and cure those that are ironskin (humans touched by fey)…and that her cousin Tam whom she hasn’t seen for over a decade is working at the Queen’s Lab. Tam hasn’t spoke to Dorie or forgiven her for her betrayal all those years ago, and now that Dorie has a chance to seek forgiveness she can’t stuck as a boy.
I haven’t read the first two books in the series but Silverblind read perfectly as a standalone. After reading a few pages, I was able to follow along with the story with no problems. Connolly did a great job summarizing the previous books without bogging the readers with too much information, it was just enough to help readers understand what is going on and the history /background of the character were sprinkled and incorporated in a way without disrupting the flow of the story. Silverblind focuses on Dorie and Tam going against the Crown by using their knowledge of the Wyvern eggs and the tales of the legendary/Mythical Basilisk to help/cure the remaining ironskin (human touched by feys afflicted with a particular problem, ex: excruciating hunger, anger, fear or visions to name a few). Readers also learn more about the Feys and where they originated as well as other creatures that dwell in the woods.
I absolutely adored Dorie and Tam. Dorie is half human- half fey but she isn’t one that cares about power or fey beauty. Instead of using her powers, she kept it locked away since that fateful last day she saw Tam dulling her true appearance and abilities. It isn’t till 18 years later that she unlocked her other half, but even then it isn’t for selfish means. She uses her powers to turn herself into an average joe guy to get a job to help others, the Ironskins and the poor. Dorie was a very likeable and competent heroine. It was fun to see her switch from Dorie to Dorian, trying to play two characters (which was harder with a baby Wyvern practically attached to her like an extra limb) and all the craziness that ensue. Tam, Dorie Cousin (not by blood) was an excellent male lead…he is pretty much a male version of Dorie…which is probably why I liked him just as much. There were many flashbacks of Dorie and Tam as children, and while I’m not usually a fan of flashback…I must admit I enjoyed theirs. It gave readers a glimpse into their history and why they haven’t spoken for 18 years. When Dorie and Tam broach the subject about what Dorie did to Tam all those years ago it was so heart wrenching. I definitely felt the characters’ emotion as if I was living it myself.
I really enjoyed Silverblind. The whole masquerading as a boy felt very Mulan-esqe to me and made for a fun and engaging read. Silverblind is a fairly short and quick read but it was action packed from start to finish. I love the world building, Victorian setting, well developed plot and unique cast of characters. My only complaint is that I wished the book was longer! For fans of the Ironskin trilogy, I’m happy to report that both Jane and Helen make an appearance. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy or is looking for a different take of faeries/fey.
August 28, 2014
**I read an ARC of Silverblind, expected publication is October 2014
This third book in the series picks up more than a decade after the end of Copperhead with the adopted children of the heroines of the first two books.
Dorie is the half-fey daughter/step-daughter of Edward and Jane Rochart from the first book Ironskin. She grew up with Tam Grimmsby, the orphaned child of the big bad in Copperhead who was raised by Helen and Rook (the heroes of Copperhead.)
Only they're actually not speaking to each other, because Dorie did something bad to him fey-related when they were 15. So after being rejected from a coveted research position with the Queen's Lab because she's a girl, Dorie changes her shape to a boy and goes out wyvern-hunting to prove that she can do the research job-- and ends up meeting with Tam.
That reunion is actually just a sub-thread of the story. Really, as the other two books are in this series, its about human (or should I say "creature") rights and admitting what you are when what you are is not what society usually reveres. In Ironskin, its the fey-cursed, in Copperhead its the dwarrven, and in Silverblind its the fey, the endangered wyvern, and even LBGT acceptance-- in the shape of Dorie's friend, Jack, an artist who is in the closet.
Dorie and Tam are on a mission to save the remaining Ironskin. It has something to do with the wyvern, but they aren't the only ones hunting the wyvern. The head of the Queen's Lab has a use for the wyvern related to regaining the fey power-packs they lost at the end of Ironskin.
And there's, of course, basilisks and multiple worlds.
I don't recommend reading Silverblind unless you've read the other two books-- there's far too many undercurrents you won't get unless you read the other two first. And really there's almost too many currents for me to keep track of! Will Tam figure out Dorian is Dorie? Will he forgive her for whatever happened when they were 15? Will the wyvern be hunted to extinction? The mystery of the Queen's Lab use of the wyvern? Will Dorie pay her rent before getting kicked out of her apartment? Can she save the Ironskin? Will the new Silvermen with silver tattoos on their palms hurt Dorie or her loved ones?
I have to admit I got a little lost about 2/3 of the way through the book trying to keep a hold of all the threads. The saving of the Ironskin, which was very exciting at first, seemed like an afterthought in the exciting wake of the danger surrounding Dorie's discovery of where the fey really came from and the Queen's Lab attempt to control her.
But I should have trusted the author.
Just when I thought the story couldn't possibly tie up all the lose ends-- it somehow manages to give a glorious, lyrical, yet still acknowledging the painful results of the decisions made by Dorie and Tam ending to the story that not only ties up all the questions of the fey, the wyvern, and all of Dorie's loved ones, but also manages to tie in the legendary ballad of Tam Lin in a clever way that made me exclaim out loud "that's so cool!" (and got me a weird look from my husband sitting nearby). I can't say more about the Tam Lin tie-in without giving stuff away, suffice it to say that it made me go back and re-read all the monographs at the starts of the chapter with new eyes.
I love it when authors twist things at the end so you have to go back and reevaluate what you thought you were reading! So the book gets the 5 stars despite a bit of fuzziness in the middle.
While there's a bit of romance in this book, it's very, very tame (fine for younger YA readers) and most of the book is focused on the action and plotting.
Excellent ending to a cool series.
This third book in the series picks up more than a decade after the end of Copperhead with the adopted children of the heroines of the first two books.
Dorie is the half-fey daughter/step-daughter of Edward and Jane Rochart from the first book Ironskin. She grew up with Tam Grimmsby, the orphaned child of the big bad in Copperhead who was raised by Helen and Rook (the heroes of Copperhead.)
Only they're actually not speaking to each other, because Dorie did something bad to him fey-related when they were 15. So after being rejected from a coveted research position with the Queen's Lab because she's a girl, Dorie changes her shape to a boy and goes out wyvern-hunting to prove that she can do the research job-- and ends up meeting with Tam.
That reunion is actually just a sub-thread of the story. Really, as the other two books are in this series, its about human (or should I say "creature") rights and admitting what you are when what you are is not what society usually reveres. In Ironskin, its the fey-cursed, in Copperhead its the dwarrven, and in Silverblind its the fey, the endangered wyvern, and even LBGT acceptance-- in the shape of Dorie's friend, Jack, an artist who is in the closet.
Dorie and Tam are on a mission to save the remaining Ironskin. It has something to do with the wyvern, but they aren't the only ones hunting the wyvern. The head of the Queen's Lab has a use for the wyvern related to regaining the fey power-packs they lost at the end of Ironskin.
And there's, of course, basilisks and multiple worlds.
I don't recommend reading Silverblind unless you've read the other two books-- there's far too many undercurrents you won't get unless you read the other two first. And really there's almost too many currents for me to keep track of! Will Tam figure out Dorian is Dorie? Will he forgive her for whatever happened when they were 15? Will the wyvern be hunted to extinction? The mystery of the Queen's Lab use of the wyvern? Will Dorie pay her rent before getting kicked out of her apartment? Can she save the Ironskin? Will the new Silvermen with silver tattoos on their palms hurt Dorie or her loved ones?
I have to admit I got a little lost about 2/3 of the way through the book trying to keep a hold of all the threads. The saving of the Ironskin, which was very exciting at first, seemed like an afterthought in the exciting wake of the danger surrounding Dorie's discovery of where the fey really came from and the Queen's Lab attempt to control her.
But I should have trusted the author.
Just when I thought the story couldn't possibly tie up all the lose ends-- it somehow manages to give a glorious, lyrical, yet still acknowledging the painful results of the decisions made by Dorie and Tam ending to the story that not only ties up all the questions of the fey, the wyvern, and all of Dorie's loved ones, but also manages to tie in the legendary ballad of Tam Lin in a clever way that made me exclaim out loud "that's so cool!" (and got me a weird look from my husband sitting nearby). I can't say more about the Tam Lin tie-in without giving stuff away, suffice it to say that it made me go back and re-read all the monographs at the starts of the chapter with new eyes.
I love it when authors twist things at the end so you have to go back and reevaluate what you thought you were reading! So the book gets the 5 stars despite a bit of fuzziness in the middle.
While there's a bit of romance in this book, it's very, very tame (fine for younger YA readers) and most of the book is focused on the action and plotting.
Excellent ending to a cool series.
December 3, 2014
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I had a good time with the previous volume, without reading the first one I confess. The author has created a truly rich and interesting world combining human and fantastic creatures. But while the two worlds are colliding, nothing is the same and many consequences are arriving from each side. Yet peace with the fey is finally installed, but that’s not counting the arrogance and the desire of growing power from men.
Dorie is now a young woman. Mid-fey, she has long tried to hide her inheritance and to live a fairly normal life and quiet away from the problems of her childhood. Finishing her studies, she is eager to work, to find a place in a laboratory so she can finally help people in need. But nobody wants to hire a woman for that kind of job. Despite her determination and desire, it seems that nothing is possible. Yet an alternative is possible … yes, if she uses her powers, she is able to turn into a boy, a man who could finally realize her dreams, even if carrying another identity. But this change will bring new worries in the life of the young woman when she crosses the path of her cousin, a boy she has betrayed years ago. And while a friendship is developing between them, she can not tell him the truth. Yet she knows that she will be forced to be honest with him, especially after what happened to him in his life.
I was very happy to follow Dorie here. Her injustice is understandable regarding her status of women and the obstacles she must pass to do whatever she wants to. We try to understand throughout the novel what really happened with Tam, what event tore them apart. Yes, because it is very sad to see that she has feelings for him, to hope she can connect with him, to create something, if only friendship with a former childhood friend. But lies are hard to override and it seems quite complicated to do it all. It’s difficult enough elsewhere to understand Tam. We see that he is a kind and caring man and at the same time it is difficult to understand why he did not try to go beyond the things.
I loved their investigation, to discover more information about the Wyvern, the fey or basilisk. I also really loved the little wyvern who adopts Dorie. It was interesting to see that our heroine was able to do the things she wanted to achieve to help those in need. At the same time we also can see the human greed and the evil they do to those who didn’t do a thing.
But that’s not all because we also have the chance to see the characters of the previous volume, see what they have become over time. And we have Jane and Helen, but also many others for our pleasure. So yes, I once again I had a great time and even if this volume is the last one, I am very happy with the events. A good discovery again.
My English review
I had a good time with the previous volume, without reading the first one I confess. The author has created a truly rich and interesting world combining human and fantastic creatures. But while the two worlds are colliding, nothing is the same and many consequences are arriving from each side. Yet peace with the fey is finally installed, but that’s not counting the arrogance and the desire of growing power from men.
Dorie is now a young woman. Mid-fey, she has long tried to hide her inheritance and to live a fairly normal life and quiet away from the problems of her childhood. Finishing her studies, she is eager to work, to find a place in a laboratory so she can finally help people in need. But nobody wants to hire a woman for that kind of job. Despite her determination and desire, it seems that nothing is possible. Yet an alternative is possible … yes, if she uses her powers, she is able to turn into a boy, a man who could finally realize her dreams, even if carrying another identity. But this change will bring new worries in the life of the young woman when she crosses the path of her cousin, a boy she has betrayed years ago. And while a friendship is developing between them, she can not tell him the truth. Yet she knows that she will be forced to be honest with him, especially after what happened to him in his life.
I was very happy to follow Dorie here. Her injustice is understandable regarding her status of women and the obstacles she must pass to do whatever she wants to. We try to understand throughout the novel what really happened with Tam, what event tore them apart. Yes, because it is very sad to see that she has feelings for him, to hope she can connect with him, to create something, if only friendship with a former childhood friend. But lies are hard to override and it seems quite complicated to do it all. It’s difficult enough elsewhere to understand Tam. We see that he is a kind and caring man and at the same time it is difficult to understand why he did not try to go beyond the things.
I loved their investigation, to discover more information about the Wyvern, the fey or basilisk. I also really loved the little wyvern who adopts Dorie. It was interesting to see that our heroine was able to do the things she wanted to achieve to help those in need. At the same time we also can see the human greed and the evil they do to those who didn’t do a thing.
But that’s not all because we also have the chance to see the characters of the previous volume, see what they have become over time. And we have Jane and Helen, but also many others for our pleasure. So yes, I once again I had a great time and even if this volume is the last one, I am very happy with the events. A good discovery again.
March 31, 2015
More than a decade after the events of COPPERHEAD (EBR review), Jane and Edward's daughter Dorie has graduated from school and is ready to strike out on her own and find work. She figures her experience studying mythical beasts in the field coupled with her college degree will make her the perfect candidate to work for the Queen's Lab.
Unfortunately, all her interviewers see is a beautiful young woman.
Dorie lives in a place and era where women are protected from difficult and dangerous things like field work, no matter how well educated and experienced they are. They suggest she work as a liason between the lab and donors, but it's not what she wants. Disappointed, she returns home rejected and hatches an ambitious plan--she will use the magic from her half-fey ancestry and make her look like a boy.
Dories does what she planned and it works! Perhaps a little too well, because when she is partnered with her estranged cousin Tam, he doesn't recognize her. On their first assignment they retrieve wyvern eggs and all Dorie can think about is how she can tell him who she is without him freaking out and being angry with her for what she did when they were kids. When Dorie discovers what the Queen's Lab is using the wyvern eggs for, she is disappointed that they won't use them to help people who need to be cured from fey curses during the war. She decides to take matters into her own hands, and Tam volunteers to help.
As in the first two books in the series, our main PoV character is a woman of courage and has a sense of what is right--even when it isn't the popular or safe thing to do. Dorie wants to do the right thing, but struggles to know what that is because of her part-fey heritage, from which she's inherited a sense of mischief. I have really enjoyed Connolly's writing. She has great characterization, with people who struggle to understand not only the world around them but their own motivations. Jack is Dorie's roommate, Stella the dwarven friend, and of course Tam, the one person who Dorie wishes would think well of her. All of these secondary characters are easy to visualize and like.
SILVERBLIND has more action than COPPERHEAD did, and as a result the pacing feels quicker. We get to see wyvern, the fey, and other fantastical things. We learn new concepts about magic and perhaps where the fey came from. Nothing in-depth, but still important to the story all the same.
Connolly's books are fun to read, with interesting characters, stories that engage readers, and a world that would interest the romantic in all of us.
Recommended Age: 14+
Language: None
Violence: Some
Sex: Vague references to sex and homosexuality
***Find this and other reviews at Elitist Book Reviews***
Unfortunately, all her interviewers see is a beautiful young woman.
Dorie lives in a place and era where women are protected from difficult and dangerous things like field work, no matter how well educated and experienced they are. They suggest she work as a liason between the lab and donors, but it's not what she wants. Disappointed, she returns home rejected and hatches an ambitious plan--she will use the magic from her half-fey ancestry and make her look like a boy.
Dories does what she planned and it works! Perhaps a little too well, because when she is partnered with her estranged cousin Tam, he doesn't recognize her. On their first assignment they retrieve wyvern eggs and all Dorie can think about is how she can tell him who she is without him freaking out and being angry with her for what she did when they were kids. When Dorie discovers what the Queen's Lab is using the wyvern eggs for, she is disappointed that they won't use them to help people who need to be cured from fey curses during the war. She decides to take matters into her own hands, and Tam volunteers to help.
As in the first two books in the series, our main PoV character is a woman of courage and has a sense of what is right--even when it isn't the popular or safe thing to do. Dorie wants to do the right thing, but struggles to know what that is because of her part-fey heritage, from which she's inherited a sense of mischief. I have really enjoyed Connolly's writing. She has great characterization, with people who struggle to understand not only the world around them but their own motivations. Jack is Dorie's roommate, Stella the dwarven friend, and of course Tam, the one person who Dorie wishes would think well of her. All of these secondary characters are easy to visualize and like.
SILVERBLIND has more action than COPPERHEAD did, and as a result the pacing feels quicker. We get to see wyvern, the fey, and other fantastical things. We learn new concepts about magic and perhaps where the fey came from. Nothing in-depth, but still important to the story all the same.
Connolly's books are fun to read, with interesting characters, stories that engage readers, and a world that would interest the romantic in all of us.
Recommended Age: 14+
Language: None
Violence: Some
Sex: Vague references to sex and homosexuality
***Find this and other reviews at Elitist Book Reviews***
October 7, 2014
Thank you Tor for providing me with an ARC and then Finished copy of Silverblind for an honest review. I enjoyed every moment of getting to read Silverblind.
Silverblind is my my absolute favorite in the Ironskin series. This book can be read as a standalone. I knew there would be fairies of course but there were dragons too. I loved every minute of this book. Dorie is a strong willed feisty girl living a a male dominant world. Dorie finds it frustrating that just because she is female she can not find a job doing the research she loves. She soon takes matters into her own hands. Using her fey side she disguises herself as a man and uses the name Dorian.
Dorie finds herself on an adventure and soon with an unexpected loving Wyvern at her side. The side characters were equally strong and amazing. Jake is her best friend and a strong willed struggling artist. Jake is the only person Dorie has trusted her secret of being half fey with. I also enjoyed Annika's strong female character as well. Dorie and Tam's relationship was the star of this book though and uncovering what happened between him and Dorie when they were 15.
Silverblind is a unique historical fantasy that will have you gripping each page till there are no more. The characters are all so strong and embodied everything they needed to make this a great story. I absolutely fell in love with the concept of wyverns and how just because the fairies had been gone did not mean that people had accepted that. They were taking the necessary steps to defend themselves, Yet Dorie being half human and half fey wants to bring balance and make up for things done in the past.
Dorie soon finds her calling even if it is not for the money she desperately needs. Sometimes fixing the wrong is worth the risk. If you love fantasy and a strong female characters then you will love this book. I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is a must read.
Silverblind is my my absolute favorite in the Ironskin series. This book can be read as a standalone. I knew there would be fairies of course but there were dragons too. I loved every minute of this book. Dorie is a strong willed feisty girl living a a male dominant world. Dorie finds it frustrating that just because she is female she can not find a job doing the research she loves. She soon takes matters into her own hands. Using her fey side she disguises herself as a man and uses the name Dorian.
Dorie finds herself on an adventure and soon with an unexpected loving Wyvern at her side. The side characters were equally strong and amazing. Jake is her best friend and a strong willed struggling artist. Jake is the only person Dorie has trusted her secret of being half fey with. I also enjoyed Annika's strong female character as well. Dorie and Tam's relationship was the star of this book though and uncovering what happened between him and Dorie when they were 15.
Silverblind is a unique historical fantasy that will have you gripping each page till there are no more. The characters are all so strong and embodied everything they needed to make this a great story. I absolutely fell in love with the concept of wyverns and how just because the fairies had been gone did not mean that people had accepted that. They were taking the necessary steps to defend themselves, Yet Dorie being half human and half fey wants to bring balance and make up for things done in the past.
Dorie soon finds her calling even if it is not for the money she desperately needs. Sometimes fixing the wrong is worth the risk. If you love fantasy and a strong female characters then you will love this book. I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is a must read.
July 29, 2019
Goodreads Giveaway win!
This book can easily be read as a standalone. I loved this book so much! I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy lately and this was the perfect book to kickstart my entry back into the genre. It was fun and action packed, the plot was always moving forward with no boring moments whatsoever.
The worldbuilding in this book was fantastic and I loved the author's take on the fey (as blue smoke). It was very interesting and really well done and thought out. We are only given the amount of background necessary to understand what is going on and not too much that it gets dry.
The characters were all really awesome and fun. Even the "bad guys" were great. The writing style was so fluid, the story line would shift from scene to scene flawlessly. It was so hard for me to put the book down at times so I had to mostly read it in big chunks whenever I had a couple of hours to spare.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy. I could not ask for more from a book.
This book can easily be read as a standalone. I loved this book so much! I haven't been reading a lot of fantasy lately and this was the perfect book to kickstart my entry back into the genre. It was fun and action packed, the plot was always moving forward with no boring moments whatsoever.
The worldbuilding in this book was fantastic and I loved the author's take on the fey (as blue smoke). It was very interesting and really well done and thought out. We are only given the amount of background necessary to understand what is going on and not too much that it gets dry.
The characters were all really awesome and fun. Even the "bad guys" were great. The writing style was so fluid, the story line would shift from scene to scene flawlessly. It was so hard for me to put the book down at times so I had to mostly read it in big chunks whenever I had a couple of hours to spare.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy. I could not ask for more from a book.
December 17, 2014
I've enjoyed the other two books so I was thrilled to get the last book in the trilogy. In this book we are moved in time ahead to 18 years later and we follow Dorie the child we left in the other two books. She is full grown and trying to find her own way in this world. Wanting to become an explorer she finds herself in the midst of misogynist attitudes. She decides to use her fae powers to become a boy in order to get the job she seeks. While exploring she finds out more about the world and the misinformation which is used to the crown's benefit and to the decimation of several species. She tries to find a way to stop and help the fae and wyverns who desperately need her help.
I really liked the plot of this book but I cringed often with some of the decisions she made. I think even a "Seriously?!" or two escaped from my lips. I did enjoy the slow re-introduction of Dorie and Tam and while there is no solid romance at the end of the book, you do see the possibility of a relationship. I also enjoyed Dorie's other friends, Jack and Sadie. They complimented her character well.
In the end I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the environmental and women's rights issues tackled in this world. It gave Dorie a good fight to help her find herself. I recommend it to those that enjoy fae stories.
I really liked the plot of this book but I cringed often with some of the decisions she made. I think even a "Seriously?!" or two escaped from my lips. I did enjoy the slow re-introduction of Dorie and Tam and while there is no solid romance at the end of the book, you do see the possibility of a relationship. I also enjoyed Dorie's other friends, Jack and Sadie. They complimented her character well.
In the end I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the environmental and women's rights issues tackled in this world. It gave Dorie a good fight to help her find herself. I recommend it to those that enjoy fae stories.
January 13, 2015
I started to give Silverblind 4 stars. Then, I remembered I am so tired because I was reading until 4 am, hoping to find a 'happy' place to stop. Silverblind gets 5 stars; the writing is stellar (arh arh), the characters matter, and you cry when something happens to them. And I am warning you, bad things happen. I delayed reading Silverblind because this world seemed fated for an unhappy end. The characters seem more 'whole' than in Ironskin and Copperhead. Dorie, Jack, Stella, Tam, and the supporting cast feel real. Many people might consider this book New Adult due to the age of the characters, but I just consider it a book to read. I would call it a gothic fantasy, so darkness and horror abound, but there are bits of light and joy, one of which is Woglet. Woglet is a great character and deserves 5 stars of his own. I will mention a minor spoiler; pay attention to the 'book excerpts' at the beginning of each chapter. You will realize why... eventually.
February 4, 2015
This one seems to be a loose retelling of the Tam Lin story, and I'm so angry with myself for taking so long to figure it out. Dorie is a little hard to warm up to as a protagonist, she tends to be a little self righteous. The side characters are a joy, and I have a crazy love for Tam but it took me a while to love Dorie too but I got there. This book ramps up the senseless violence, a lot of what happens doesn't seem to be necessary to the plot and a character gets fridged. One thing I learned from that is that fridging sucks when it happens to guys too, something I had suspected but never saw for myself.
February 2, 2016
Multiple worlds theory in an alternate world 1920s era Britain. The main character is a spitfire young woman who has chosen to dress like a man in order to do the work she loves, and she has some interesting side effects of a magical upbringing to contend with as well.
August 17, 2014
At first I had a hard time with the jump in time, but overall I liked it. I truly liked the characters Dori and Tam.
December 9, 2014
The language, the characters and the pacing were flat, although the ideas were cool and the setting was interesting. Would you choose clean energy forever if it meant genocide?
March 27, 2018
When I picked up this book, I had no idea it was the third in a series. Luckily it was written so that it could be read as a stand alone and what references were made to previous books, as well as the world building were easy to understand and follow.
I'm not quite sure how to categorize this book... I would guess that Victorian Fantasy/AU would be the best description.
2 decades after the Human/Fae war, Dori is trying to make it on her own in a human world, while trying to hide her half-fae nature. She wants nothing more than to be allowed to be a field researcher for one of the firms that does... for lack of a better term... crypto-biology and studying Wyverns, Hydras and finding the herbal medical remedies that were "lost" after the war.
But she finds that these firms do not want to hire women to be field researchers. If they hire them at all it's for secretarial and public relations/fundraising positions. So Dori uses her fae magic to change her appearance into a man and gets her dream job. Only the dream job is not studying wyverns, it's capturing their eggs for a purpose that she can only guess is nefarious. So she and her friends need to stop what's happening, while still trying to stay a step or two in front of the authorities, who have deemed all things Fae as illegal.
It was an OK book. I'm not sure if I will look up the first two in the series or not. But I'm not sorry I read this one.
I'm not quite sure how to categorize this book... I would guess that Victorian Fantasy/AU would be the best description.
2 decades after the Human/Fae war, Dori is trying to make it on her own in a human world, while trying to hide her half-fae nature. She wants nothing more than to be allowed to be a field researcher for one of the firms that does... for lack of a better term... crypto-biology and studying Wyverns, Hydras and finding the herbal medical remedies that were "lost" after the war.
But she finds that these firms do not want to hire women to be field researchers. If they hire them at all it's for secretarial and public relations/fundraising positions. So Dori uses her fae magic to change her appearance into a man and gets her dream job. Only the dream job is not studying wyverns, it's capturing their eggs for a purpose that she can only guess is nefarious. So she and her friends need to stop what's happening, while still trying to stay a step or two in front of the authorities, who have deemed all things Fae as illegal.
It was an OK book. I'm not sure if I will look up the first two in the series or not. But I'm not sorry I read this one.
June 9, 2017
I picked up this book because the premise of a girl disguised as a boy is a favourite trope of mine. I'm tempted to go back and read the first two books in the loosely linked series, but I'm afraid that I won't like them as much as Silverblind. Dorie's struggles of facing discrimination in job interviews and worries about rent will resonate with contemporary readers, while the atmosphere of early industrial fantasy- England and the thrilling field work adventures of science in the old times are charming. The science/magic world building is believable and not illogical. The relationship between Dorie and Tam relies somewhat on their backstory, which maybe I missed by not reading the other two books. I was rooting for a happy ending for the lesbians, anyways. The ending wraps things up nicely, but not too neatly, which is good. It's more realistic when there's unresolved issues. Dorie may have rescued the fey, but she didn't destabilize the entire power structure that was exploiting the fey to begin with. There's room to speculate on what happens after the last page turns.
I wish I had a small woglet imprinted on me. I wish there had been more room to explore Dorie's identity as Dorian. This book is a good world in which to wish impossible things.
I wish I had a small woglet imprinted on me. I wish there had been more room to explore Dorie's identity as Dorian. This book is a good world in which to wish impossible things.
February 21, 2022
Graduating with honors from the University, Dorie Rochart is frustrated by her inability to get a job doing the field work she has the experience to do: collecting medicinal plants like feywort and studying rare wilderness creatures such as the wyvern and the basilisk. Only men are hired for field work, so Dorie, who is half-fey, decides to alter her body. As “Dorian” she is hired by the Queen’s Lab and paired with Tam, the cousin she has loved and missed for years. They had a mysterious falling out when they were fifteen. As Dorian, Dorie works with Tam who does not realize her identity. While investigating the properties of wyvern egg albumen, Tam and Dorie discover that the Queen’s Lab is doing nefarious work that endangers the livelihood of the fey species.
Connolly’s world comes alive with fantastical creatures, fey magic, and disturbing technologies. Her characters are diverse, well drawn and likable; even the villain has admirable qualities. Dorie is a delightful and complex protagonist, and her romance with Tam flows easily within the greater plot of the story, which is well-paced and suspenseful. Themes such as the environment and women’s rights are integral but not didactic. Highly recommended.
Connolly’s world comes alive with fantastical creatures, fey magic, and disturbing technologies. Her characters are diverse, well drawn and likable; even the villain has admirable qualities. Dorie is a delightful and complex protagonist, and her romance with Tam flows easily within the greater plot of the story, which is well-paced and suspenseful. Themes such as the environment and women’s rights are integral but not didactic. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2017
I was a little worried, going in, that this series had already explored its world and would be retreading the same ground. In hindsight, that was stupid. Dorie makes a perfect protagonist, taking the series into new territory and examining new themes in an already delightfully detailed world.
Highly recommended, both for fans of the Ironskin series and readers new to it, as the book stands perfectly well on its own. Loved it!
Highly recommended, both for fans of the Ironskin series and readers new to it, as the book stands perfectly well on its own. Loved it!
November 5, 2023
Silverblind is a great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, third in the Ironskin series. It tackles the problem of the fey in an intriguing and interesting fashion. Well written and set in an alternate Edwardian era, it brings the story of the fey to an end. Lots of twists and turns. Great fun!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, third in the Ironskin series. It tackles the problem of the fey in an intriguing and interesting fashion. Well written and set in an alternate Edwardian era, it brings the story of the fey to an end. Lots of twists and turns. Great fun!
July 17, 2017
I would have given it four stars except the ambiguous ending bugs the crap out of me.
January 14, 2019
The concept was there but I found myself skimming a lot. The ending was left so open I was it was alil better tied together.
May 29, 2019
Finishes the story of Ironskin. It's great to see Dorie all grown up on an adventure of her own.
July 11, 2022
what a fun story.
didn't read the first 2 books, don't feel that i'm missing chunks of story.
didn't read the first 2 books, don't feel that i'm missing chunks of story.
August 25, 2018
The main problem with this book is that it's just not that well written. It is quite a pity; the premise seems interesting enough, and the sample bit had me fooled. But since I've been returning to a number of the classic fantasy authors (Margaret Mahy, Diana Wynne Jones, Robin McKinley) and discovering a number that I'd not heard of before (Carol Emshwiller, Emma Bull, Delia Sherman) who are really exquisitely good writers, the fact that so much contemporary fantasy is quite simplistic in its narrative and prose is thrown into sharp relief.
[sigh... will I finish this one? Or will I grow bored?]
[sigh... will I finish this one? Or will I grow bored?]
February 12, 2015
Silverblind is the third book in what I believe is a trilogy. The first one, Ironskin, was a steampunky Jane Eyre-based novel which introduced us to the Fey. Book two, Copperhead, was based on Anne Brontë's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and felt like it brought the narrative to a kind of close, so I wasn't sure what to expect from Silverblind. Would it perhaps be based on Wuthering Heights?
First of all, no, I don't think it's based on anything - unless it's based on some classical work of which I'm not familiar, of course. Secondly, the narrative picks up 18 years after Copperhead, so that's how that problem's solved. Dorie, the little girl from the first book, is now a young, independent woman in want of a job. Failing to get one, on the basis of her being female, she decides to try her luck as a male. Because she's half Fey, she has some powers and can shapeshift.
When she - as a man - encounters a childhood friend she had a falling out with, things get complicated. Can she tell him who she really is? The fact that she also manages to become mummy/daddy to a baby wyvern and discovers a way to help the few remaining Ironskin, it complicates things even more.
I really enjoyed this novel and whenever I had to put it down it was begrudgingly done. While I was never entirely clear on exactly what a wyvern is (aside from a shopping district in Derby), based on the description given, I took it to be a sort of mini dragon, which is apparently sort of accurate. As little Woglet is very cat-like in his behaviour, I instantly took a liking to him, which added to the overall liking of the story.
The characters were likable and I enjoyed spending my time in their company. They are rebels, freedom fighters, civil rights activists, and animal rights campaigners all rolled into one and I love that. It brings up a lot of important topics - racism, sexism, size-ism, homophobia - and while society as a whole isn't particularly open-minded, the main characters are. Even though Dorie and Tam were once very close, it doesn't mean that they necessarily have to become a couple and live happily ever after, so that was refreshing.
Perhaps because the book wasn't based on anything [familiar to me], there wasn't the distraction of seeing parallels with the original, which is what I did for the first two novels in the series. It allowed me to read Silverblind without preconceptions, and enjoy it as a dark fantasy set in a world not unlike the early 1900s. And I loved that.
First of all, no, I don't think it's based on anything - unless it's based on some classical work of which I'm not familiar, of course. Secondly, the narrative picks up 18 years after Copperhead, so that's how that problem's solved. Dorie, the little girl from the first book, is now a young, independent woman in want of a job. Failing to get one, on the basis of her being female, she decides to try her luck as a male. Because she's half Fey, she has some powers and can shapeshift.
When she - as a man - encounters a childhood friend she had a falling out with, things get complicated. Can she tell him who she really is? The fact that she also manages to become mummy/daddy to a baby wyvern and discovers a way to help the few remaining Ironskin, it complicates things even more.
I really enjoyed this novel and whenever I had to put it down it was begrudgingly done. While I was never entirely clear on exactly what a wyvern is (aside from a shopping district in Derby), based on the description given, I took it to be a sort of mini dragon, which is apparently sort of accurate. As little Woglet is very cat-like in his behaviour, I instantly took a liking to him, which added to the overall liking of the story.
The characters were likable and I enjoyed spending my time in their company. They are rebels, freedom fighters, civil rights activists, and animal rights campaigners all rolled into one and I love that. It brings up a lot of important topics - racism, sexism, size-ism, homophobia - and while society as a whole isn't particularly open-minded, the main characters are. Even though Dorie and Tam were once very close, it doesn't mean that they necessarily have to become a couple and live happily ever after, so that was refreshing.
Perhaps because the book wasn't based on anything [familiar to me], there wasn't the distraction of seeing parallels with the original, which is what I did for the first two novels in the series. It allowed me to read Silverblind without preconceptions, and enjoy it as a dark fantasy set in a world not unlike the early 1900s. And I loved that.
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