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Review at MyShelf.Com | ||||||||||||||
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by D.M. Cornish In Lamplighter, Rossamünd Bookchild joins the lamplighter apprentices - the men who keep the lamps lit along the Emperor's highways. At first, Rossamünd fears this will be a dull apprenticeship but soon learns that lamplighters fight monsters as often as any adventurous soul could want and more. But the monsters quickly become the least of Rossamünd's problems as political scheming threatens his life and the lives of all he cares about. Though no quick read, this hefty tome sucks the reader in with deep concern for Rossamünd's welfare. The reader sees through many of the mysteries surrounding Rossamünd, but half the tension of the book is fretting about whether the young lamplighter will uncover the truth in time - and whether it's a truth he'll survive. The black-and-white illustrations are fantastic and add so much to the story by really helping us see the complex things Cornish describes. Lamplighter offers an even more satisfying read than Foundling (book 1 of the series, also reviewed on Myshelf.com) - I enjoyed Foundling but found the ending felt almost cut off, while the ending of Lamplighter leaves you eager for the next book, but also more settled and satisfied with plenty to think about. Cornish boldly explores themes on prejudice, loyalty, and duty. Young Rossamünd asks tough questions about the world in which he lives, questions we also have to answer for our own lives - questions about following orders and what really makes a "good man." I believe you really need to read the books in order to follow the story best, but since both books are excellent, that shouldn't be a burden. |
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Lamplighter