Saturday, March 31, 2012

Rutkoski, Marie. The Jewel of the Kalderash.


Rutkoski, Marie.  The Jewel of the Kalderash.   Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2011.   320p.      $16.99  ISBN 978-0-374-33678-3      ms/hs VG-BNS      Fantasy    
     In the conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, Petra rescues her father, who has become a Gray Man, and must face down Prince Rodolfo, who is close to ruling Europe.  Rutkoski offers a satisfying conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, and deftly ties up loose ends, while creating one last (exciting, dramatic, fast-paced) adventure in the alternate Renaissance timeline. 
     Petra Kronos is determined to rescue her father, now turned into one of the monstrous Gray Men, but she will have to do it without Neel (who is dealing with issues of his own in Romany).  Petra, Astrophil (a steampunk spider who still gets all the best lines), and Tomik embark on their quest.  The trio are soon swept up in political plots and intrigue with the return of John Dee and Bohemian Prince Rodolfo who is close to becoming Emperor and ruling half of Europe.
     Although the conclusion is predictable, readers will be turning pages as quickly as they can to reach the apocalyptic  ending.  Petra’s inevitable sacrifice will leave readers wishing that she were able to find another solution. The final battle allows Petra and Neel, whose adventures follow parallel tracks, to meet and come to an understanding before the series concludes.
Subjects: 1. Magic - Fiction. 2. Kings, queens, rulers, etc. - Fiction. 3. Romanies - Fiction. 4. Fantasy. 
Hilary Welliver
 

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