Synopses & Reviews
Master storyteller Sharon Shinn created the thrilling and enchanting world of Welce in her acclaimed novel Troubled Waters. Return with her to that elemental universe in this tale of secrecy, romance, and a battle for power
Josetta is a princess of one of the Five Families. But she is far from the throne, so she is free to spend her days working in the poorest sections of the city.
Rafe Adova lives the life of a career gambler in those slums. He has no real ambitionuntil the night he helps a girl named Corene, who looks like shes stumbled into the wrong bar.
Josetta is fascinated by the man who has helped her sister. Rafe is unlike anyone shes encounteredsomeone seemingly devoid of elemental blessings.
Rafe is also drawn to Josetta, but when he is assaulted by foreign mercenaries and they discover the reason behind the attack, Rafe and Josetta realize that the truth could endanger not only their newfound love, but also their very lives
Review
Praise for Troubled Waters “Carries readers away into a vivid new fantasy world . . . entertaining and suspenseful . . . full of lively characters . . . The intriguing new system of magic and politics provides plenty of potential for sequels.”—Publishers Weekly
“Filled with vivid details of everyday life, a strong and admirable heroine, and a plot with as many twists and turns as the mighty river that threads through the story, Shinns latest novel should appeal to her avid readership and to lovers of the genre. Highly recommended.”--—Library Journal (starred review)
“Will be enjoyed by readers who like stories with hints of western European aristocracy and elemental magic, with a happy ending.”—Booklist
“A lush new world peopled with fascinating characters . . . Shinn once again demonstrates her considerable facility for creating a richly developed world peopled with intriguing characters blessed with remarkable powers.”—Night Owl Reviews
“Character-driven fiction with fantastical and romantic elements. Shinn has created a world that is completely believable and magical at the same time.”—Fantasy Literature
“A great opening political fantasy that is filled with a strong cast, wonderful refreshing laws of magic, and court intrigue . . . Shinn affirms what her fans already knew from the Twelve Houses saga: that the author is one of the best fantasists.”—Alternative Worlds
Review
Praise for Sharon Shinn and Royal Airs: "Shinn is a master of world-building, plotting, and characterization.”—Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author
“Well, when I pick up one of Ms. Shinns [novels] I cant read just one, because I cant stand to leave the magical world she creates or the multi-faceted characters.”—Heroes and Heartbreakers
“Readers will be delighted with this return to Shinns elemental universe...The line of succession for the kingdom of Welce continues to be extraordinarily complicated, which makes for varied, shifting alliances. When it comes to vividly layered characters and detailed world building, Shinn is a master at her craft.”—RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Sharon Shinn is a journalist who works for a trade magazine. Her first novel, The Shape-Changers Wife, was selected by Locus as Best First Fantasy Novel of 1995. She has won the William L. Crawford Award for Outstanding New Fantasy Writer, and was twice nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. She has also received an RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award and won the 2010 RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has lived in the Midwest most of her life.