A kingdom in peril...and the four who might be able to save it.
In The Fatal Child, John Dickinson weaves the story of a kingdom on the edge, and the people who just may be able to save it. Ambrose, the Prince Under the Sky, is burdened with a noble lineage that comes with the curse of the weeping goddess. Atti is the ice princess, beautiful and cold, who enchants everyone but can love no one. Melissa is the humble peasant girl, with few dreams or desires, who only wants to serve Atti, but carries a secret love for Ambrose. Padry is a chancellor, a man who delights in politics and the intricacies of court, and who tries his best to live a righteous life by following a Path he cannot understand, or sometimes even see. Together with spirits, witches, battles, murders, scandals, intrigue, and long-simmering hate, they may be the salvation of their world: or its destruction.
The Fatal Child is well-written and exciting. The cast of characters proves, for the most part, three-dimensional and relatable, mysterious and moving. The plot, although slow-moving in some parts and a little too rapid in others, is interesting and keeps the reader guessing. I did dislike the fact that John Dickinson explained some things in excruciating detail while barely mentioning other things I thought were of much greater importance, but the rest of the book made up for that. Overall, a nice read for fans of traditional medieval fiction, although maybe not one that will particularly stand out.
Review by Caley S.
