Hellisen,
Cat When the Sea is Rising Red
Macmillan/Farrar
Strauss 2012 296p $16.99 978-0-374-36475-5 hs VG-BN Fantasy
This is a striking debut novel. Cat Hellisen is already being compared to
fantasy powerhouses Jacqueline Carey and Neil Gaiman. The rich detail Hellisen provides the
patriarchy of Pelimburg -- rife with magic, supernatural creatures, and class
strife -- reveals masterful world-building.
Felicita lives the life of Pelimburg’s magical elite. But when her best friend, Ilven, commits suicide to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita fakes her own death to avoid a similar arranged marriage and runs away to the slums. Living in the slums, working for a living, Felicita finds two love interests: charming Dash and vampire Jannik.
Ilven’s death calls wild magic out of the sea. Felicita’s new companions plan to use this magic to destroy Pelimburg’s caste system … and Felicita’s family with it. Felicita must decide where her loyalties lie.
Hellisen manages to maintain a folkloric ambience throughout the tale. Fantasy fans will find this a refreshingly imaginative and haunting story. The novel is not for young teens, as there are mildly descriptive sexual situations and mild profanity. The ending is open enough to allow for a sequel.
VG-BN Hilary Welliver Magic, Vampires, Social classes, Fantasy
Felicita lives the life of Pelimburg’s magical elite. But when her best friend, Ilven, commits suicide to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita fakes her own death to avoid a similar arranged marriage and runs away to the slums. Living in the slums, working for a living, Felicita finds two love interests: charming Dash and vampire Jannik.
Ilven’s death calls wild magic out of the sea. Felicita’s new companions plan to use this magic to destroy Pelimburg’s caste system … and Felicita’s family with it. Felicita must decide where her loyalties lie.
Hellisen manages to maintain a folkloric ambience throughout the tale. Fantasy fans will find this a refreshingly imaginative and haunting story. The novel is not for young teens, as there are mildly descriptive sexual situations and mild profanity. The ending is open enough to allow for a sequel.
VG-BN Hilary Welliver Magic, Vampires, Social classes, Fantasy
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