| Set
in a time before The Clockwork Dagger, this novella
gives insight into the incident that set Miss Percival and
Octavia Leander on the path that would come so close to destroying
them both. The story opens with Miss Percival responding to
a call to assist her young protege , who labors to save soldiers
from a mysterious illness that threatens to turn the tide
of the war between the Caskatians and the Wasters. Told in
Miss Percival's viewpoint, the story gave us nearly as much
insight into Octavia as it did Miss Percival, because it allowed
us to see her from the outside. Because it's really quite
a short story, it really probably wouldn't work for anyone
who hadn't read The Clockwork Dagger, because so much
of the back story of the war and the medicians simply isn't
included. Still, even by itself, it's an interesting exploration
of duty and envy. Though Cato doesn't exactly let us like
Miss Percival, she does help us understand her, which makes
our understanding of her actions in both The Clockwork
Dagger and The Clockwork Crown deeper and more
satisfying. Plus, the short length made the fact that it's
an ebook (and I'm really a print girl) less of an issue -
I had no trouble sticking with the ebook to the end in one
sitting. All in all, a quick read and one that has compelling
characterization and surprising depth. |
