Obedience. Duty. Conformity. Poise. As firm and unyielding as any iron bar, they form a cage more secure than a prison cell.
When the messenger came to the castle, everything changed for Amethyst, the only child of the king. Of all the elves in Lonwick, she alone was worthy to be the apprentice to the Master of Earth, one of the eight most powerful wizards on Erde. Now she has the power to change her destiny, to take her life into her own hands and mold it into something exciting, something real.
Unfortunately, the world outside of her father's kingdom had little interest in her continued survival. If she is to take her place as Apprentice, she will need all her wit and cunning to survive.
Life in the powerful Council of Masters is full of danger, from both within and without. Can she learn to navigate the treacherous politics of the Council of Masters? Is the power worth the price she must pay? And why are the orcs, trolls, and ogres suddenly rising up against the people of Lonwick?
Ok, so it's no secret I'm a fan of Brandon as an author, and this book is no exception. When I first discovered his books, he had just written the third novel in his first trilogy. You couldn't help but fall in love with the characters and I can't tell you how sad I was when Elias's trilogy came to an end. Then came Songs of the Northlands, which was a great addition of history that served to enrich Elias's story and the fabric of Cornwell's vast world tapestry.
Now, we have the counterpart to Elias's journey in the first book of Amethyst's trilogy (Snowfall) and I could not be more satisfied! I honestly felt like Brandon's writing reached a peak in this book. The early ones were really good, but now the prose feels like a diamond buffed smooth. Amethyst is 100% her own unique and well-rounded character, whom we get to see develop over the course of the book. I must say, this author is just as skilled at writing a female lead as he was a male one, which is a plus for me. The magic system is sown deep into the story with a perfect subtlety that is really exciting if you're paying attention to the clues. There are clear signs that what magic we have experienced in this book is only skimming the surface of a vast ocean and I can't wait to see what Cornwell does with it. I've had the honor of communicating with the author about some of these things, and although he wouldn't divulge the details, I can guarantee he has some major plans in store for Amethyst and the magic of the realm. Even though the story is fantastic on its own, I absolutely LOVE the references to Elias's timeline. They add significantly to the depth of the world and tie in seamlessly. I wish I knew the secret to Brandon Cornwell's genius tapestry weaving, but I'll settle for being a witness to it.
If you're looking for a new book or series to read, I highly recommend Snowfall, as well as the first Dynasty of Storms trilogy!
Fantasy stories must find a way to blend the old and familiar with the new and exciting, and Snowfall succeeds in balancing them in a smooth, satisfying way. The locations feel grounded, as if part of our own world, no matter how fantastical the people and events that inhabit them.
Snowfall is a story about a young elf's personal journey to escape the confines of her home and find some purpose in the outside world. Through competing with rivals over the coveted position as Apprentice to a powerful sorcerer, she explores the depths of her powers and tries to overcome her limitations. Though a book heavily steeped in complex spellcraft and rituals, Brandon Cornwell describes the magic in a way that anyone can understand. Amethyst's growth as a mage and a person are natural and satisfying. Her trials teach her the confidence she needs to press forward, and the humility she needs in order to learn from her mentors, friends, and even enemies. The cast features fun and fully-developed characters, and I'm excited for the next book to show me what happens to them next.
Although Snowfall doesn't require you to have read the other books in the Dynasty of Storms series, it does provide some interesting context for the events that happened in the Warrior's Trilogy. But whether you've read the Warrior's Trilogy or not, I highly recommend Snowfall.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.