Kirsten Reviews: Bloodstone by Gillian Phillip

Bloodstone by Gillian Philip

Rebel Angels #2

Bloodstone is the second novel in Gillian Philip’s critically acclaimed Rebel Angels series, debuting in the United States for the first time.

For centuries, Sithe warriors Seth and Conal MacGregor have hunted for the Bloodstone demanded by their Queen. Homesick, and determined to protect their clan, they have also made secret forays across the Veil. One of these illicit crossings has violent consequences that will devastate both their close family, and their entire clan.

In the Otherworld, Jed Cameron, a feral, full-mortal young thief, becomes entangled with the strange and dangerous Finn MacAngus and her shadowy uncles. When he is dragged into the world of the Sithe, it’s nothing he can’t handle until time warps around him, and menacing forces reach out to threaten his infant brother. In the collision of two worlds, war and tragedy are inevitable, especially when treachery comes from the most shocking of quarters….

Bloodstone, the second volume in Gillian Phillip’s Rebel Angels series tells the story of two Sithe warriors, Seth and Conal MacGregar, who have spent centuries searching for the Bloodstone, as commanded by their queen. This artifact will help protect the Veil, but it’s a mission that has meant a search of more than four hundred years. But, they have also made many trips across the Veil, a barrier between the world of mortals and that of the Sithe, and it is one of these forays that will ultimately have grave consequences for them and all those close to them. Conal’s sister, Stella is unwilling to help them, as she has vowed never to cross over to the Sithe world again, and is determined that her daughter, Finn never learn the truth about her origins. Then Seth discovers a boy who can see things beyond the Veil, and trouble quickly follows.

In the Otherworld, a mortal thief, Jed Cameron has become involved in the dealings of Finn MacAngus and her uncles, Seth and Conal. This, and his ability to sense the Sithe, leads to him being pulled into their politics, family struggles, and also results in his young brother being threatened.

While this book does contain Sithe, or ‘fey’ as other fantasy series would call them, Phillip makes an effort to keep the mythology distinct, and the stakes of the brothers crossing the Veil, as well as broader political implications distinct from other works in the genre. Much of the strength of the story rests in the bond between Seth and Conal, who, although having very different personalities, are loyal to one another and face obstacles that viewers of fantasy and horror shows such as Supernatural may very well appreciate.

The book does take some time to get the story moving, and much of this is spent laying out plot for upcoming chapters, which is necessary, but may prove frustrating for readers who are anticipating a story that takes off right out of the gate. However, the plot does come together in the end, and events are resolved, with the exception of those things that will undoubtedly be continued in another book.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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     1. Firebrand

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Kirsten Reviews: Firebrand by Gillian Philip

Firebrand by Gillian Phil

Rebel Angels #1

At the end of the sixteenth century, religious upheaval brings fear, superstition, and doubt to the lives of mortals. Yet unbeknownst to them, another world lies just beyond the Veil: the realm of the Sithe, a fierce and beautiful people for whom a full-mortal life is but the blink of an eye. The Veil protects and hides their world…but it is fraying at the edges, and not all think it should be repaired.

Discarded by his mother and ignored by his father, sixteen-year-old Seth MacGregor has grown up half wild in his father’s fortress, with only his idolized older brother, Conal, for family. When Conal quarrels with the Sithe queen and is forced into exile in the full-mortal world, Seth volunteers to go with him.

But life beyond the Veil is even more dangerous than they expected, and Seth and Conal soon find themselves embroiled in a witch-hunt—in which they are the quarry. Trapped between the queen’s machinations at home and the superstitious violence of the otherworld, Seth must act before both of them are fed to the witch-hunters’ fires…

Brimming with intrigue and rebellion, Firebrand is the first book in the Rebel Angels series by Gillian Philip, the Carnegie Medal–nominated author of Crossing the Line and multi-award-nominated Bad Faith.

Rebel Angels: Firebrand by Gillian Phillip isn’t urban fantasy, as it’s been labeled by some, but is more like a blending of fantasy and Celtic elements. It should be noted that this is the first volume in a series, and the next one won’t be released until this fall.

The central characters are two brothers, Seth and Conal, who are Sithe, and are involved in the politics of their world. However, when one of the brothers goes against the will of the Queen, he is banished to the human world. Seth follows his brother, and they discover that, not only do they have to try and find their way in this strange place, but also have to deal with the Sithe political dealings that have followed them.

Both of the brothers are ‘standard fantasy characters’ in that Conal is ‘the good guy,’ to what is an almost ridiculous degree. He’s the one that follows the rules, and it’s easy to see why that could get him into trouble when politics and other Sithe would rather ignore them. Seth, on the other hand, is more prone to reckless behavior, and more apt to jump and then make a joke when he lands wrong.

In some ways this book feels like setup for the rest of the series. It focuses on the ways that brothers deal with politics and the human world, and the story moves very slowly at times. There are medieval elements, such as the requisite paranoia about magic and witches, and the romance is kept to a minimum at this point.

The main lesson is that Sithe power struggles are extremely dangerous, and it’s better not to get in the middle of them. Unfortunately, the brothers don’t have any choice about it, and have to do their best to survive and help their loved ones.

For anyone who likes their fantasy with a large helping of politics and a more meandering plot, this will be a good read. Anybody who wants a fast paced tale is going to have to look elsewhere.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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