The Alchemists of Loom

October 17, 2016
Kova (the Air Awakens series) crafts a fascinating divided world and a more threadbare plot for her Loom epic fantasy series launch. Arianna is a young woman out for vengeance. Her people, the Fenthri, have been subjugated by the magic users called the Dragons, who live above the surface of the world of Loom on the floating Isles of Nova. Ari is old enough to remember a time when the Fenthri were free and able to choose their own paths, and she aches to toss the hated Dragons out of Fenthri lands. Ari is a chimera, a Fenthri who has absorbed body parts and blood of Dragons and become imbued with Dragon magic. With that magic and the skills she’s learned, Ari has every intention of destroying all the Dragons—until the Dragon Cvareh Xin ’Ryu Soh drops at her feet and offers her a boon if she’ll take him to the Alchemists’ Guild, where he hopes to help the Fenthri liberation cause, for reasons that remain opaque. Ari’s rationale for accepting the task rather than killing this representative of her most despised enemies is likewise unclear. The steampunk technology of the Fenthri and magic of the Dragons are nicely depicted, making up for the rather large holes in plotting and consistency.

December 15, 2016
Arianna is the White Wraith, a criminal with a fearsome reputation. While on a job, she encounters a wounded Dragon. Knowing the value of a Dragon's heart on the black market, Arianna attempts to harvest it. The Dragon, Cvareh, has other ideas and offers her any wish that she wants, to be granted once Ari escorts him to the Alchemists of Loom. Along with Ari's friend and assistant, Florence, they set off for the Alchemists. Chasing them are the Dragon Riders, loyal soldiers of the Dragon King. Cvareh hopes to overthrow the king and needs the help of the Alchemists. Alternating POV from Arianna, Cvareh, Florence, and the Dragon Rider Leona, this first book in the Loom Saga is heavy on the world building. The story is action packed but oftentimes feels like a second book in the series. The world isn't complicated, but Kova does not do the best job of explaining the varied character types or rules to this world. Readers willing to just go with the flow will enjoy this fantasy-adventure that mixes elements of steampunk, fantasy, and romance into an enjoyable read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)