Children of the Black Glass by Anthony Peckham
Synopsis:
In an unkind alternate past, somewhere between the Stone Age and a Metal Age, Tell and his sister Wren live in a small mountain village that makes its living off black glass mines and runs on brutal laws. When their father is blinded in a mining accident, the law dictates he has thirty days to regain his sight and be capable of working at the same level as before or be put to death.
Faced with this dire future, Tell and Wren make the forbidden treacherous journey to the legendary city of Halfway, halfway down the mountain, to trade their father’s haul of the valuable black glass for the medicine to cure him. The city, ruled by five powerful female sorcerers, at first dazzles the siblings. But beneath Halfway’s glittery surface seethes ambition, violence, prejudice, blackmail, and impending chaos.
Without knowing it, Tell and Wren have walked straight into a sorcerers’ coup. Over the next twelve days they must scramble first to save themselves, then their new friends, as allegiances shift and prejudices crack open to show who has true power.
Review:
This new, middle grade fantasy is wonderfully unique and captivating. Tell and Wren have never left their small village But to save their father, they have to travel to a city with a culture vastly different from their own. The siblings encounter thieves, new friends, betrayal, intrigue, and more in this incredible series debut. I was hooked from the start and loved that it was unpredictable at times, with escalating suspense. The story is unforgettable, and thankfully doesn’t leave off on an annoying cliffhanger. Yet I still look forward to the next installment and highly recommend this novel to fantasy and adventure readers of all ages.