Though Farren's sequel to Kindling
(2004) contains orgiastic sex scenes, sadomasochistic romps and dark magic rituals, this alternate history is more intrigued by its own big black zeppelins than any girl-on-girl whip action. Cordelia, Jesamine, Argo and Raphael are "The Four," a multicultural band of teenagers able to function as a group mind that psychically fights Dark Things in the Other Place. Their powers are necessary to save the free world from the ravening Mosul Empire and its evil enchantress. The Four grow in mystical power and in their desire for alcohol and sex. They also become aware of their proclivities: Cordelia experiments with lesbianism and whips, while Jesamine succumbs to the sexuality of one Jack Kennedy, the prime minister of the Kingdom of Albany. Kennedy uses the Four to fight the Mosul enchantress, who seeks to enslave the world or destroy it and all its alternates. Confusing and murky, the mishmash of ahistoric detail, sexual innuendo and strange magic weighs things down until the plot is as hungover as the characters. (June)
