Review: I am the wolf who becomes a man, and the man who is a beast inside
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 6, 2010
The world of faeries is a dangerous place -- and I suppose you can't expect a journey into the heart of winter to be a simple one. Julie Kagaawa bridges her first and soon-to-be-published second novel with "Winter's Passage," an exquisitely icy little novella that begins after "Iron King" ends.Meghan leaves her home and family to honor her promise to Ash -- she's going to his mother's wintry realm, and has no idea when or if she'll be able to return. Ash escorts her through a forest and the mean streets of New Orleans -- but they soon realize that a vast, deadly creature known as the Hunter is pursuing them both."Winter's Passage" feels a little like a few chapters were trimmed off the beginning of Kagawa's second book, and so she shaped those chapters into a little novella that begins where "Iron King" ends. It's a little like a sculpted scoop of sherbet directly after a fine dinner -- a pleasant way to finish off an exceptional first novel.And as Meghan leaves the mortal world behind, Kagawa immerses the reader in a lush, glittering world of ice, snow and haunting beauty, with forests, great glittering expanses of ice and occasionally crystal-encrusted paths. But the whole chase scenario with the Hunter adds a sense of danger, especially during a riveting action scene near the end.And unlike many authors who write about fairies, Kagawa infuses them with a sense of ethereal otherworldliness and danger (such as the fey woman with the ghastly baby). Nor does she pollute the beauty of their world by having Meghan filter it through the "modern kid" sensibilities.And Meghan herself is a likable heroine -- she's strong, capable and unflinching, and determined to do whatever she can for the people she loves (whether it's her little brother or a winter prince of the fae). And Ash is depicted as a chilly, slightly alien creature whose warmer feelings are beginning to be stirred, but who is troubled by his mother's possible plans for Meghan."Winter's Passage" is a solid little bridge between Julie Kagawa's first and second novels -- and if you enjoyed "Iron King," it's a nice little frozen dessert.