Florian's blog – Science Fiction and Fantasy
Minou is a foundling who has lived for all her 13 years with her adopted grandmother in a ramshackle boathouse shelter in Moonlally, a queendom colonized by foreigners (the British Raj with different names, and slightly different culture and technology...). Her grandmother has raised her to be fierce, smart, and respectful of the Dark Goddess who, despite the efforts of the colonizers, continues to be worshiped by the local people. Thirteen years ago, the last Queen died, and now a wicked General rules by
When her grandmother is killed in suspicious circumstances, Minou joins the rebels bent on overthrowing the General....and so her adventures begin, taking her into the secret heart of the old palace, the jungles beyond Moonlally, and even the skies above it in the general's own airship. The Queen still lives, and can, perhaps, be found. With true friends at her side, a marvelous mechanical elephant to help considerable with travel through the jungle, and only a few derailments when her kind and generous h
A great read for middle grade readers who love stories of plucky girls vs tyrants, with action that zips briskly along. Sometimes the resolutions to dangers seemed too easy to me as an adult reader, but this I think actually adds to the appeal of the book to those of its target audience who are in the market for fun reads and not doorstoppers. Even so I found the adventure part of the story to be lots of fun, especially the steampunk-esque elements, and Minou is certainly a character to cheer for.
Florian's blog – Science Fiction and Fantasy