I fell in love with Ed McDonald’s “Redwinter Chronicles” from
the very first chapter of the very first book. His protagonist, Raine, is at once
brilliantly flawed, self-doubting, and heroic. Her capacity for compassion and her
clear-eyed courage are matched only by her conviction that she is worthless and
unlovable. As an unreliable but deeply sympathetic heroine, she’s unmatched.
All is not well in the world of this second Redwinter novel.
The king is dying, and a war of succession is brewing. With famine gripping the
north, rebellious lords scheme for the power of the Crown that protects the
living world from the forces of evil. Raine thought she had found a home in
Redwinter, where those with magical powers can learn and flourish. But her mentor,
Ulovar, is suddenly struck by a mysterious illness that slowly saps the
vitality from his body, and her new friendships prove unexpectedly fragile. Meanwhile,
the darkness within her grows, fueled by a mystical book that should not exist
and that would mean her death should it be discovered. Everything comes
crashing down when her erstwhile friend, Ovitus, puts together a new alliance
to challenge the existing politics and wrest all power to himself.
Traitor of Redwinter is a complex, nuanced fantasy
novel that does not hold back from difficult choices and dark themes. It builds
on the events and system of magic from the first volume, shattering the established
world and challenging notions of good and evil. It’s a brilliant, moving,
ultimately compassionate tour de force.
Highly recommended, with the proviso that it’s not a stand-alone. Read the first volume first.
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