I had a bit of a SNAFU earlier this year with professional review sites, so I hadn’t been paying that much attention to them since the release of the second book in the Steel Empires series, Steel Magic. Therefore, I’m about half a year late in telling you all the fantastic news!
Steel Magic received a lovely shout-out in Library Journal earlier this year, and I’d love to share it with you here:
Gribble, J.L. Steel Magic. Dog Star: Raw Dog Screaming. (Steel Empires, Bk. 2). Jul. 2016. 188p. ISBN 9781935738855. pap. $14.95. FANTASY
Newly graduated Toria Conor and Kane Nalamas discover they are the last warrior-mages in Limani after the strange death of one of their teachers. Yet they are set on becoming professional mercenaries after their 18 months as contracted journeymen. As a bonded pair, Toria and Kane understand their elemental powers work even better than most, but it does not solve the mystery of disappearing mages. Hired by a city elder to resolve the matter, they travel to New Angouleme with their elven friend Syri to investigate the local mage school. When Syri is kidnapped, Toria and Kane must find and save her as well as magic itself. In this excellent follow-up to Steel Warrior, Gribble brings the newest generation to the forefront with an adventure reminiscent of Tamora Pierce’s “Alanna” series. VERDICT Strong plotting and captivating characters will please fans of fantasy quests.
I mean, there’s a minor quibble in the fact that I’m hoping they meant Steel Victory rather than Steel Warrior, but otherwise I’m humbled and pleased by that succinct review.
I’ll be back later today for my monthly roundup, but I wanted to share this delightful news first.
FANTASTIC! 🙂 Congrats J.L!