Genre: Fantasy, YA
Reviewer: Estora
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About The Book
Prince Redley is fifteen, heir to two thrones, and has done nothing to earn either of them.
His father has survived an assassination attempt and gone to ground in the far north. His mother has forbidden the journey. So Redley steals a flask of medicine and goes anyway.
His allies are a spy with a drinking problem, a bodyguard running from his past, and a plump orange cat with inexplicably good timing.
They have one horse, no money, and fourteen days to cross a kingdom that’s tearing itself apart.
Redley will have to decide what kind of man he wants to be. But first, he must survive.
The Long Road North is Book One in a coming-of-age fantasy duology of found family and political intrigue, with no overt magic. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kristin Cashore.
The Review
I am a huge fan of Nicola Zhang’s Celestia Trilogy, so when I saw the news about her upcoming book, The Long Road North, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on an ARC.
We’re back in a familiar setting – the world of Celestia – but there’s no prior knowledge of the trilogy required; the cast from the original trilogy are grown up and now play supporting roles for the new generation. Queen Colleen of Flavia, now in her 30s, remains one of my favourite characters, but it’s her son Prince Redley who is one of three stars of this new duology.
Colleen’s expectations weigh heavily on Redley, and with good reason – but he thinks he’s all grown up (he’s 15) and ready to take on the world against his mother’s wishes, so naturally he flees the country on a half-cocked mission to see his father, King Anden of Vindra. It’s not an entirely selfish journey – his father needs medicine once a year to ease the burden of an old wound – but the situation is complicated as Anden has gone into hiding following an assassination attempt. Accompanying Redley is his friend/reluctant bodyguard Falcon, and fast in pursuit is the spy Tarsha, under orders from the queen to bring Redley home kicking and screaming if she must – but the trio’s plans quickly change when they realise there is a plot against Anden, and Redley is right in the middle of it.
Nicola Zhang’s penchant for action, prose and world-building shines through in this coming-of-age fantasy – and her way with punchlines (Chapter 4 in particular!) never fail to make me laugh. The greatest strength of this book are the characters, who even though I’ve only just come to know them, I already adore. Tarsha’s fierceness, Redley’s heart, and Falcon’s steadfastness combined to make this fantasy road trip like none other.
The Long Road North is a delightful, fast-paced romp full of complicated characters and political intrigue. The conclusion to this duology can’t come fast enough!
The Reviewer
Estora is a long-time reader and writer of LGBT+ speculative fiction.
