The Gilded Crown

Gordon debuts with a slow building but fascinating dark fantasy set in the vaguely Nordic fictional country of Chron, where a girl discovers the power to bring back the dead. Hellevir is born and raised in a cottage in the snowy woods and spends her childhood among trees and animals, using her gift to bring first a fox and then her own mother back from the land of death. Her life changes, however, when she’s summoned to the capital to resurrect the late Princess Sullivain, who, once alive again, appoints Hellevir as her personal reviver from death in case of future assassination attempts. The city is controlled by the Onaistian faith, which preaches kindness and hope, but persecutes “heathens” like Hellevir, opening up a thematic exploration of religious hypocrisy. The tale is also a study of kindness and humanity, as Hellevir is molded and perhaps corrupted by the ways of the city, while conversely, Sullivain is persuaded to act against her tyrannical grandmother, the Queen, by Hellevir’s influence. Though it takes a while for things to get moving, once the plot picks up, readers will find plenty to hold their attention. This series is off to a promising start. Agent: Meg Davis, Ki Agency. (July)