Lost Covenant

October 15, 2013
Poor Widdershins: The further she runs the worse things get. After the tragic events at the end of her last major adventure (False Covenant, 2012), Widdershins and her unsanctioned god, Olgun, took off. But shady characters are looking for her, the church might want to use her, and then it turns out someone is killing off her deceased guardian's noble family. In an effort to repay the debt she owes Alexandre Delacroix (and perhaps to atone for running off on others who needed her), Widdershins heads to the Outer Hespelene to save the last branch of the Delacroix family, a large clan with a fearsome matriarch and a whole lot of stubborn descendants, plus one scion who turns out to be a decent sidekick. The usual quips, near escapes and breakneck action scenes ensue, intercut with some disturbing goings-on back home in Davillon. Marmell's writing has tightened considerably but stayed colorful (."..some resemblance to a drunken beetle trying to scale an icicle..."), giving fans everything they want in a Shins story while avoiding most of the lapses into florid overwriting. Two unfinished threads--unrest in the church and the return of two old foes--leave plenty of room for more more more. Start with Book 1 and just keep going. (Fantasy. 13 & up)

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January 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-In the third installment of this Renaissance-like fantasy series, thief and heroine Widdershins is still reeling from a hard-won battle with an unnatural beast, and from the death of a dear friend. Along with her personal god, Olgun, Shins leaves friends behind and travels to far-off Lourveaux, where she learns about the plight of the Delacroix, a distant branch of her family. Someone is causing a blight on the family crops. In the course of her investigation, Shins finds herself entangled with The Thousand Crows, a brutal gang determined to kill her. With Olgun's supernatural assistance, Shins outwits and outmaneuvers her enemies and manages to solve the mystery. The author provides minimal backstory, which may leave new readers confused. Still, Widdershins is a witty, sarcastic, and exciting character, haunted by deep grief and guilt. This page-turner will have fans anxiously awaiting the next book.-Wendy M. Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
Teen thief Widdershins and her companion god, Olgun, have fled the city of Davillon. She soon learns that someone is trying to kill off the remaining members of her deceased guardian's family, and she is in danger as well. Fast-paced action, richer character development, and (only somewhat) smoother storytelling help make this a stronger addition to the series.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)