The Order of the Eternal Sun: A Novel of the Sylvani
This historical fantasy is the second in a series about the Sylvani, a race from another world. Not unlike the faery, some have interbred with humans, but they conceal their powers, aware these might provoke hostility. The action opens in Edwardian England before shifting to the world of the Sylvani. Lucy Sinclair, a beautiful aristocratic debutante, is looking forward to her first season in London, especially when she finds herself falling in love with fascinating Alexander, Lord Devonshire. But can he be trusted? She is half Sylvani, and he may be hunting her for the sinister Order of the Eternal Sun, which stalks those with mixed blood.
As is often the case with later books in a series, the situations and relationships between characters can be confusing at times, and convoluted explanations slow down the action. Lucy is, moreover, an artist, whose keen eye for color and detail lingers lovingly on the worlds around her, especially paintings and clothing. Her exploration of her talents is interesting, women’s right to independence from controlling males is convincingly affirmed, and concern over discrimination in both worlds resonates for readers today.
The problem is that the author is juggling rather more balls than she can comfortably handle (Sylvanian politics need fuller development, for example), and though the elements of the story are interesting (such as the explanation for vampirism), not all are as well integrated as one would wish (the character of Rose seems largely redundant). There is more here for lovers of romance, and of fantasy worlds that intersect with our own, than for those looking for historical novels.
