Publishers Weekly
12/19/2022
Too-familiar epic fantasy tropes and underbaked characterizations bring down Rollins’s second Moonfall novel (after The Starless Crown). The plot surrounds series heroine Nix with an admirably diverse cast, including “a second-born prince, a broken knight, a recalcitrant thief, a figure sculpted of flowing bronze,” all seeking to avert moonfall, or the world’s destruction, and Rollins tantalizingly teases what to expect in a prologue announcing a “story of innocence lost, of trust betrayed, of hope banished,” which “makes a mockery of what was written before.” But what follows is utterly formulaic. Nyx, a student who has dedicated herself to averting the prophesized disaster, is alarmed to find a bomb on her questing vessel, the Sparrowhawk, evidence of a sabotaging traitor. Other dangers, from humans and monstrous beasts alike, pop up regularly. Sometimes-weak prose (“While she might not have been born of womb and blood, she was as much a woman as any other—only more so”) doesn’t help. Only diehard fans of the previous installment need bother with this one. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Cradle of Ice
"The writing is gorgeous, textured and full of detail, a notable shift from the stripped-down prose of the Sigma Force novels, and the world and its inhabitants are beautifully crafted. For lovers of fantasy fiction, a must-read."—Booklist
"Readers will want to continue their journey with Nyx and her companions…as the middle story in a huge epic that blends the science fiction of a tidally locked planet with elements of fantasy and magic."—Library Journal
Praise for the Moonfall series:
“This talented storyteller moves smoothly from thriller to fantasy. A terrific bit of storytelling.” —Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara novels
"When I'm sitting around the campfire, hearing of heroic deeds and derring-do, I want James Rollins to be standing across from me spinning the yarn. He grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go, weaving a believably unbelievable world of magic and danger that is both terrifying and beautiful, cruel and tender. A masterful storyteller across the genres, James is at his best in The Starless Crown."—R. A. Salvatore, New York Times bestselling author of The DemonWars Saga
“The Starless Crown is a bold and brilliant epic fantasy by a master storyteller! Wonderfully complex characters, shifting points-of-view, unparalleled world-building, and a great sense of fun make this a certified triumph!”—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Relentless and Kagen the Damned
"An action-filled fantasy quest that is gripping and thought-provoking. The high stakes and smooth writing made it a page turner.... As in his thrillers, he includes science, historical secrets, and suspense."—Mystery & Suspense Magazine
“An interesting blend of science and magic, flying ships and prophetic gods, propel this fantasy into epic territories.”—Library Journal
“Fun…the fantastical creatures and landscapes are imaginative.... Readers looking for plot-driven fantasy will enjoy the action.”—Publishers Weekly
“Makes us feel like we’re kids again watching the original 'Jason and the Argonauts' or one of the better entries in the Sinbad series. This is storytelling at its absolute level best.”—BookTrib, on The Cradle of Ice
Library Journal
12/01/2022
The motley crew that gathered together in The Starless Crown travels to opposite ends of a far-future, post-apocalyptic Earth in their pursuit of long-buried ancient machines that will prevent the coming crash of Moonfall by kicking off a smaller disaster in its place. Nyx and her pirate crew travel to the frozen wastes on the dark side of the world to learn that the empty lands are populated with humans and other creatures who have preserved ancient talents that may save their quest—or doom it. Meanwhile, the exiled prince and his scientific companions pursue hidden knowledge in the dark heart of one empire while another sends armies after both parties in pursuit of a revenge that will only bring destruction. Readers will want to continue their journey with Nyx and her companions, but as the middle story in a huge epic that blends the science fiction of a tidally locked planet with elements of fantasy and magic, this is a long walk through very dark places that will not be resolved until a later book in the series. VERDICT Recommended where the first book was popular.—Marlene Harris
