3/19/12

Castle of Shadows, by Ellen Renner

Castle of Shadows, by Ellen Renner (Houghton Mifflin, March 20th, 2012 in the US, middle grade, 400 pages)

When Charlie (aka Princess Charlotte Augusta Joanna Hortense of Quale) was only six, her mother kissed her in the middle of the night, and left mysteriously, and her father the King withdrew into a world of his own, where all that mattered was constructing an enormous house of cards. Five years later, Charlie is scrounging a living for herself as best she can, a neglected ghost in a castle now ruled by a tyrannical housekeeper, in a country governed by the Prime Minister, Alistair Windlass.

But things are changing. Revolutionaries are plotting against the Prime Minister, and he himself (a cold, intelligent man who was great friends with the King and Queen), has remembered Charlie's existence. Suddenly she finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue, desperately trying to unravel the reasons behind her mother's abrupt departure, and trying to figure out whom she can trust. Is Tobias, the (moderately) friendly gardener's boy, an ally...or are the secrets he refuses to share a threat to the kingdom? Is Windlass Charlie's friend, or is he using her for her own ends? And what of the Revolutionaries, Charlie's missing mother, and the enemy expansionist state threatening the peace of Quale!

Set in a quasi-Victorian world similar to our own, but with a dash of steampunky alternate technology, this is one that should appeal to those who like plucky kids caught in complicated situations, where not much happens in the way of outright adventure, but plenty of locks are picked, clues uncovered, and suspicion clashes with friendship. Charlie doesn't actually accomplish all that much--she never exactly saves the day and sets things to right. Her story is not a hero's quest, but rather a satisfying journey from life as a forgotten pawn to an active and intelligent participant in her world, capable of making true friends and assuming responsibilities.

It's not a cheerful, cozy read--it is, after all, set somewhat clausterphobically in a castle of shadows, and Charlie's life is pretty horrendous. The ending comes with surprising, sudden darkness, that was somewhat distressing, involving a gruesome death (so those who don't like gruesome deaths should be warned!).

I myself found it gripping, though patience and intelligence are required of the reader during the gradual uncovering of secrets, and the hunt for answers. Like Charlie, the reader only knows bits and pieces of the story, some of which come from untrustworthy sources, so a lot of speculating is called for!

The book ends at a reasonable ending place, but I, for one, am glad there's a sequel. City of Thieves is already out in the UK--another one for my burgeoning Book Depository shopping cart...

(review copy received from the publisher)

9 comments:

  1. The cover and much of the plot sounds MG - but then the ending made me think it could border on YA (maybe?). Charlie's story sounds perfect for both adventurers and quieter, shy types. Thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well, the death was gruesome, but not graphic...and I'd put it within the parameters of a mg book.

      Delete
  2. I love the intrigue. Thanks for sharing about this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Would you call it fantasy? sci-fi (because of the steampunknes)? mystery?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I went with "fantasy" in my labeling, because of the alternate world...the steampunkness is, I think, to slight for sci fi, and I'm not sure I feel comfortable with steampunk = sci fi as a general rule (and am now trying to decide why this is so--I think of sci fi as the future and fantasy as retro, and so steampunk seems more fantastical than science fictional to me. But I might think something else tomorrow...). And yes, if I had a "mystery" label I might have put that on it too!

      Delete
  4. Oh my gosh...ma readin' pile is a growing!Thanks for another great review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks perfect for my strong female lead loving reader! Anyone who bears the name Hortense has got to be cool, right?

    ReplyDelete

Free Blog Counter

Button styles