Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore

Cashore’s brings readers another challenging fantasy in Seasparrow which follows on immediately after the events in Winterkeep. Queen Bitterblue and her half-sister Hava are travelling back to Monsea by ship, carrying with them the notes that Hava had copied about zilfium and its ability to be turned into a deadly weapon. Hava’s Grace lets her disappear in plain sight and has been instrumental in making her the perfect spy for her secret half-sister. On board the ship she notices that a crew member is acting suspiciously, but before her fears are resolved, they are shipwrecked and forced to walk through the ice in an attempt of get home.

This is a harrowing survival story as the party rows through a freezing sea surrounded by icebergs as well as being threatened by bears. Once they reach land, the journey is treacherous, and each must draw on their resilience and inner strength to survive, while also looking after each other on the perilous journey. Not only is it a physical survival story, but it is also the story of Hava’s inner struggle to come to terms with the life that King Leck had forced on her and her mother. Her reflections on her mother who had to hide her from the King until she died when Hava was eight and the accounts of her life afterwards always hiding from people are often difficult to read but compelling, nonetheless. I found myself hoping that Hava would eventually be able to express her feelings without turning into stone. Other characters in the story are exceptionally portrayed, particularly Annet, the captain of the ship and the sailor who had stored a secret in the hold. The one bright spot in the story was the descriptions of the blue foxes, who all had unique characteristics.

With themes of survival of mind and body, a slow burning romance, court intrigue, problems with the use of deadly weapons and vivid imagery, Seasparrow will be welcomed by readers of the series.

Themes: Fantasy, Survival, Post traumatic stress, Weapons, Seafaring.

Pat Pledger