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Thieftaker Chronicles #6
The Cloud Prison: A Thieftaker Novella
“The Cloud Prison” A Thieftaker novellaPart II of IIIThe Loyalist Witch — Thieftaker, Fall 1770Charlotte Whitcomb, the lovely and dangerous loyalist who nearly killed Ethan Kaille in their first encounter, and came within a hair’s breadth of destroying all of Boston in their second, has returned to the fair city. And she remains determined to end the cause of liberty once and for all.This time she seeks to make Ethan and his friend Diver Jervis the tools of her malign intentions. She kidnaps Diver’s betrothed and employing powers Ethan barely comprehends, imprisons her in a cloud above the frigid waters of Boston Harbor.Unable to defeat her on his own, Ethan turns to old friends, and to the uncommon magick of a new Amanda Oakroot, an Earth Witch. Together, Ethan and his comrades seek to defeat the Loyalist Witch before she takes the life of Diver’s truest love.
Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2021
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About the author
D.B. Jackson
26 books299 followers
D.B. Jackson has been writing fantasy and science fiction under a different pen name for over fifteen years. He has published novels, short stories, and media tie-ins in more than a dozen languages. He also has a Ph.D. in American History, and now, for the first time in his career, he is combining his love of fantasy with his passion for history. His first historical fantasy series, The Thieftaker Chronicles, includes Thieftaker, Thieves' Quarry, A Plunder of Souls (to be released in July 2014), and Dead Man's Reach (due out in 2015). The Thieftaker novels, which combine elements of fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction, are published by Tor Books. He is also at work on a new contemporary urban fantasy series, The Weremyste Cycle (written under the name David B. Coe), which will be published by Baen books. The first book, Spell Blind, will be out in January 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 22, 2021
4 / 5 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Contains Spoilers for The Witch’s Storm, Part 1 of the Loyalist Witch and minor spoilers for the Thieftaker series leading up to now.
The Cloud Prison is Part II of the Loyalist Witch arc and continues the right where The Witch’s Storm left off.
October 24, 1770 - Boston
It’s been four days since the massive hurricane descended upon Boston. Some streets remain flooded, debris still litters others. Over 100 people perished, and many more are missing. But life goes on, and—for the people of the Colonies—that means the trial of Captain Thomas Preston is about to begin. While everything is proceeding smoothly, Ethan Kaille lingers by the courthouse on the lookout for trouble.
He hasn’t seen Charlotte Whitcomb, the Tory Witch, since the massive hurricane struck, but knows better than to assume she has fled. Or perished. For the cause of liberty remains. And the Crown would see it crushed.
Indeed, shortly after the start of the trial, Whitcomb herself confronts Ethan. Rather than underestimating him again, this time she has collected herself a bit of insurance, in the form of Deborah, Diver’s betrothed. Feeling that Ethan’s friend’s fiancé is more than enough collateral, she offers the two men a fair trade—a life for a life. And, in return for Deborah, she expects them to kill Samuel Adams, the very heart and soul of the rebellion.
While I’ve simplified it a bit here, there’s more to Whitcomb’s scheme than just a life for a life. It’s more elaborate—and maybe just a touch convoluted. See, she takes Deborah and imprisons her in a cloud above Boston Harbor (hence the novella’s title, the Cloud Prison). In exchange for her freedom, Whitcomb demands that Ethan and/or Diver kill Samuel Adams.
The honest wording in the text implies that she believes that Ethan will do exactly this, in order to save the life of his friend. And if Diver decides to do the deed instead—that’s fine too. But should she really understand Ethan Whitcomb would know that he has no intention of doing this. Which—if you’re all caught up on the series—you should know as well. Thing is, I really thought she took his measure in the first Part. And Whitcomb isn’t a stupid, blind, vain, Crown asset. She may be conniving and even a bit ruthless, but she isn’t outright cold and calculating. Making it all a bit out of character to assume that Ethan would just accede to her demands.
Even so, it’s not a bad story. It still makes Kaille jump through a fair amount of hoops. Gather intel, assets, friends, and weapons of his own, before he confronts her. And just because he would never kill Samuel Adams just to get Deborah back, that doesn’t mean Diver wouldn’t.
It’s another good read; maybe just a bit less enjoyable than the first one. But still strong, and entertaining. The Thieftaker world is always a joy to dive into, even though the authenticity of it all is ruined a bit by the sample size (novella or less). I can’t wait to continue with the trilogy and see what it will set up for the future of the series to come!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Contains Spoilers for The Witch’s Storm, Part 1 of the Loyalist Witch and minor spoilers for the Thieftaker series leading up to now.
The Cloud Prison is Part II of the Loyalist Witch arc and continues the right where The Witch’s Storm left off.
October 24, 1770 - Boston
It’s been four days since the massive hurricane descended upon Boston. Some streets remain flooded, debris still litters others. Over 100 people perished, and many more are missing. But life goes on, and—for the people of the Colonies—that means the trial of Captain Thomas Preston is about to begin. While everything is proceeding smoothly, Ethan Kaille lingers by the courthouse on the lookout for trouble.
He hasn’t seen Charlotte Whitcomb, the Tory Witch, since the massive hurricane struck, but knows better than to assume she has fled. Or perished. For the cause of liberty remains. And the Crown would see it crushed.
Indeed, shortly after the start of the trial, Whitcomb herself confronts Ethan. Rather than underestimating him again, this time she has collected herself a bit of insurance, in the form of Deborah, Diver’s betrothed. Feeling that Ethan’s friend’s fiancé is more than enough collateral, she offers the two men a fair trade—a life for a life. And, in return for Deborah, she expects them to kill Samuel Adams, the very heart and soul of the rebellion.
While I’ve simplified it a bit here, there’s more to Whitcomb’s scheme than just a life for a life. It’s more elaborate—and maybe just a touch convoluted. See, she takes Deborah and imprisons her in a cloud above Boston Harbor (hence the novella’s title, the Cloud Prison). In exchange for her freedom, Whitcomb demands that Ethan and/or Diver kill Samuel Adams.
The honest wording in the text implies that she believes that Ethan will do exactly this, in order to save the life of his friend. And if Diver decides to do the deed instead—that’s fine too. But should she really understand Ethan Whitcomb would know that he has no intention of doing this. Which—if you’re all caught up on the series—you should know as well. Thing is, I really thought she took his measure in the first Part. And Whitcomb isn’t a stupid, blind, vain, Crown asset. She may be conniving and even a bit ruthless, but she isn’t outright cold and calculating. Making it all a bit out of character to assume that Ethan would just accede to her demands.
Even so, it’s not a bad story. It still makes Kaille jump through a fair amount of hoops. Gather intel, assets, friends, and weapons of his own, before he confronts her. And just because he would never kill Samuel Adams just to get Deborah back, that doesn’t mean Diver wouldn’t.
It’s another good read; maybe just a bit less enjoyable than the first one. But still strong, and entertaining. The Thieftaker world is always a joy to dive into, even though the authenticity of it all is ruined a bit by the sample size (novella or less). I can’t wait to continue with the trilogy and see what it will set up for the future of the series to come!
July 3, 2021
The Thieftaker Battles His Most Dangerous Foe
Jackson once more gives us an irresistible tale for his chronicles of Ethan Kaille and pre-revolutionary Boston. Humour, history, heartache, danger, and magic… it’s all there as Boston recovers from the worst storm in history while limping along the sabre’s edge toward the revolution. Can’t wait for the next instalment, because it ain’t over ‘til the fat Loyalist sings!
Jackson once more gives us an irresistible tale for his chronicles of Ethan Kaille and pre-revolutionary Boston. Humour, history, heartache, danger, and magic… it’s all there as Boston recovers from the worst storm in history while limping along the sabre’s edge toward the revolution. Can’t wait for the next instalment, because it ain’t over ‘til the fat Loyalist sings!
November 8, 2021
Otra novella de esta serie, que sigue directamente la historia de la anterior. La bruja aliada con los ingleses sigue haciendo de las suyas, y el protagonista debe encontrar aliados para derrotarla, y para que no siembre más el caos. B
July 16, 2021
Another good entry in the Thieftaker series. I enjoy the mix of history and fantasy. I'm looking forward to the coming volumes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews