T. Kingfisher

Anja is a Healer, a title given to her as what she does, really has no other title. She is a scholar, with one of the most inquisitive minds of her time. She is a merchants daughter, and loves her father dearly. She is the sister of two beautiful women who have started families of their own. Most of all she is a problem solver, the problems she solve involve poisons.

Anja pours herself into trying to find cures for poisons and to help as many people as she can. Although, she’s not a “people person”, even more so when the people are children.

Anja often tests her remedies on herself, when a rooster just wont do the trick. Once day when Anja was doing such testing, the King walks in.

Remember Anja, is very much not a people person, She’s somewhat of an awkward sort of person. Does very well with problems, Does not do well with small talk. So when the King summons her to help save his daughter, after some brief awkward exchanges, where she promptly forgets any manners she has for royalty…. She is on her way across the desert to see the princess. Luckily she’s got two trusty guards for the trip.

While Snow has an emotional rollercoaster of an adventure crossing the desert for a few days, meeting the court, spending time with the king and praying to the saints she makes it there alive. The real adventure starts once she meets the Princess, Snow.

T. Kingfisher has the absolute best way of making you really get in to Anja’s head. Her inner monologue is absolute gold. The “side characters” are also very flushed out, everyone from her very trusty ( some would even say lusty ) body guard, to our one eyed mysterious feline friend. You don’t feel like you are missing bits and pieces that bring them together.

I really enjoy how the world building is done. Its detailed without taking away from the story or being a bit to intense. When the story brings you to somewhere else, you instantly know that your in a new place, without it being jarring.

The plot was tied up rather nicely in the end. The bread crumbs left through the story are all collected and we find our selves at an ending that leaves you wanting more of the story, but it still has great closure.

If you are like me and loved Nettle and Bone you will most certainly enjoy this as well! I feel very much that lady Sorel and The Dust witch would be great friends.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books for the digital ARC for review.