Emily B. Martin’s trilogy of queens comes to an end with Creatures of Light, a breathtaking finale that ties up loose ends and left me aching for more even as I celebrated such a glorious end.
I call this series a trilogy of queens because each book is written from the perspective of a different, strong woman. In Woodwalker, we followed ranger Mae on her journey to reclaim her place in her home country. In Ashes to Fire, we watched Mona fight to keep her country free from their former conquerors. And in Creatures of Light, Gemma risks everything to preserve her dreams for her own country even as her country condemns her actions.
After being kidnapped in Ashes to Fire, we reunite with Queen Gemma, who has been placed under house arrest, away from her husband and the court. Her crime? Treason. Making the best of her unfortunate circumstances, Gemma engineers an escape with the help of someone unexpectedly returning from her past, and thus begins a journey that may spell the downfall of her own country. With another unexpected companion at her side, a journey through perilous caverns ahead, and an uncertain truce awaiting at the mouth of a waterfall, Gemma must put aside her own heart for the good of her country and relearn what it means to trust herself and others.
I really, really loved this book. Martin’s style is clear and descriptive, and her worldbuilding is first class. In Creatures of Light, Martin finally gets to flesh out the culture of Alcoro, the country that has been conquering others to fulfill its destiny, as prophesied, under the reign of the seventh king. Martin examines the motives behind a religious state in a refreshing look at how countries ruled by orthodoxies in turn attempt to conquer other countries. The universe that these books inhabit is richly detailed and interesting. Martin is able to show four distinct cultures in ways that highlight her own ingenuity as she shows how deeply a culture runs in its people. Martin’s fantasy world may not have magic, but her works are magic themselves. The rich descriptions, fleshed-out characters, and intricate plots make up a trilogy that is a brilliant addition to the fantasy genre.
I will admit, Gemma was not my favorite character in the second novel, but she is fully redeemed in my eyes by Creatures of Light. By putting the final novel in the hands of the disgraced queen, Martin maneuvers readers into a deep examination of Gemma’s motivations and character. Gemma is a deeply flawed person, but so are the other protagonists, and being able to watch the world revolve through Gemma’s mind is fascinating. Her love for her husband and her country are the cornerstones of her entire world, but the conflict that arises within her makes for a fascinating story.
The religious aspects of this novel were also very, very interesting. Martin weaves the religion on the backs of the Light, and gives each country’s culture their own view of it. So, while the religion spans across each culture, they all see and revere it in different ways. I loved the concept of having split views according to each culture, and Martin does so with finesse.
No spoilers, but there is a plot twist towards the end that I was not expecting. Looking back through the book I can see the foreshadowing, but Martin skillfully ties up coincidence and happenstance and pulls together every string, bringing readers unwittingly into the climax of a tense situation with a deft touch. It reminded me of the first book, because I didn’t see a major plot twist coming full-steam ahead in that one either. Martin has secured herself firmly in my list of favorite authors because of how well she handles the invisible lines of plot and characterization throughout her books.
Warning: If you are claustrophobic, this might not be the best book for you. There are detailed descriptions of tight spaces, caverns, and intense claustrophobic feelings that could be uncomfortable for readers. And if you can’t stand reading about insects and spiders, it might be a little hard to get through a few scenes.
And some fun facts about Martin: she’s a park ranger and an artist, and she drew all three covers for the trilogy. If you check out her Twitter, you can see some of her other amazing work as well!
Martin refers to this trilogy as fantasy adventure for nature nerds, and I highly agree. I wish we had more time in this beautiful universe. From the characters to the worldbuilding to the intricacies of their religion and beyond, this trilogy is a treasure that I will continue to cherish. And, good news! According to a recent Twitter Q&A, Martin is currently working on a YA novel set in the same universe as this trilogy! I eagerly await its pages, and encourage you all to fall in love with these books as I have.
Emily B. Martin
Published January 23rd, 2018
Emily B. Martin
Published May 17th, 2016
Emily B. Martin
Published January 31st, 2017
One Response
Bookmarked for when my TBR pile gets more manageable!