Rebel fire by Ann Sei Lin

Rebel Fire is the second book in this fantasy trilogy which follows Rebel Skies. Ann Sei Lin has created a world called Mikoshima inhabited by Crafters - humans, and shikigami, paper creatures with extraordinary powers.  There are other beings called Sorabito, Groudlings and an Imperial family trying to keep hold of their power. Japanese culture pervades the story where ground, sky, and floating cities are populated by these different beings.

The central characters are Kurara and her friend Haru, both shikigami. Unlike all other shikigami, Kurara is not bonded to a Crafter. The bond is in effect slavery and the shikigami must do all the hard work with their superpowers such as fighting for their Crafter. Kurara sees bonding as totally unfair and she is determined to discover how she can free all the shikigami. Kurara travels south to the Grand Stream to find out the truth behind how bonds are created. On the journey she learns about a link with Star Trees and there’s a chilling truth about the souls of shikigami. The Royal princess wants Kurara to be bonded to her and relentlessly pursues her, which creates another layer of adventure. War is imminent and it is a thrilling journey with many challenges along the way as the quest builds to a cliff hanger. 

This is a complex and enthralling fantasy and was jam packed with characters and events. You really should read the first in the series to get the gist of all this complexity. It is sometimes unsettling, violent, and reminiscent of some of the eeriness of The Northern Lights series. Some of the exchanges between Kurara and her friends add light relief and she is a rock-solid, brave, loyal, and ethical young woman. I loved the Japanese-like setting and could picture the world the author created and particularly the shikigami characters. There’s a map, drawings and a glossary which help you understand Mikoshima. This series is ideal for young adult readers who are after something new in the fantasy genre.

Themes: Slavery, Loyalty, Fantasy, Japanese culture.

Jo Marshall