The story:
Claidi is an orphan. Her parents once profaned a Ritual, and was
thrown out of the Garden and into the Waste. Claidi serves Lady Jade
Leaf, who is arrogant and spoiled. And Claidi isn't exactly humble
and shy.
One day, a stranger comes to the Garden, in a balloon. He is shot down, and imprisoned. Claidi helps him escape, and joins him in a journey across the Waste. But things aren't exactly as she has imagined.
Thoughts about the book:
I didn't really like it all that much. The story and the concept was
nice enough; it was set in a post-apocalypse world, where remnants of
an earlier civilization lurks in the background.
But I didn't like the implementation. A children's book, yes, but still a clumsy language. Most of the characters were too predictable, as was the outcome of several happenings.
However, it is better than a lot of other books I have read, and at least the cliches don't get too bad. Too mainstream for my taste anyway.
About the author Tanith Lee.
starcat@starcat.rlyeh.net