The Floating Islands

March 7, 2011
Neumeier (The City in the Lake) introduces readers to a fascinating new world in this epic tale of aspiration and destiny told in alternating perspectives. After losing his immediate family in a volcanic eruption, Trei finds a new home with his mother's kin, who dwell in the Floating Islands. There, he discovers his one great ambition: to become one of the kajuraihi, who ride the air currents on winged harnesses powered by the same dragon magic that keeps the Islands aloft. He becomes close with his cousin Araenè, who chafes at the social restrictions placed on women and yearns to master the culinary arts reserved for men to study. As Trei joins the kajuraihi as an initiate, circumstances force Araenè to disguise herself as a boy and enroll in the hidden school of the mages. When the empire of Tolounn tries to invade the Floating Islands, both cousins are drawn into the battle, each tested and pushed to their limits, with surprising results. Complex and memorable characters, lush imagery, and a vividly constructed setting make this fantasy adventure soar. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from December 15, 2010

Intelligent, richly detailed fantasy featuring two young cousins battered by losses, personal passions and larger events. Shy, inarticulate, recently orphaned and newly arrived in the aptly named Floating Islands, Trei is transformed by the rare chance to strap on a pair of feathered wings and join the legendary corps of soaring kajuraihi. For his fiercely intense cousin Araenè, constraints on women are but annoying obstacles to be overcome in pursuing first the forbidden (to women) culinary arts and then the magical abilities that well up in her, all unbidden, in the wake of a family tragedy of her own. The arrival of an expanding empire's invasion fleet, augmented by a new, mechanically powered magic, propels Trei and Araenè into actions that test their courage, loyalties and cleverness to the utmost. The author delineates complex characters, geographies and societies alike with a dab hand, deftly weaves them all—along with dragons of several sorts, mouthwatering kitchen talk, flashes of humor and a late-blooming romance—into a suspenseful plot and delivers an outstanding tale that is self-contained but full of promise for sequels. (Fantasy. 12-14)

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February 1, 2011

Gr 6 Up-Tragically losing his family in Tolounn and then turned away by his Tolounnese uncle, grieving Trei, 14, ventures to the Floating Islands (kept aloft by wind dragon power) hoping his mother's family will take him in. Seeing the kajuraihi-an elite group of men who borrow wind dragon power to fly-Trei immediately longs to become one despite being only half-Islander. He finds a kindred spirit and eventual coconspirator in his sharp-tongued cousin Araene. Society would have Araene's ambitions stop at wife and mother but with her culinary talent she'd prefer to be a chef. A habitual secret jaunt while disguised as a boy leads her to the hidden school for mages and she discovers yet another supposedly male-centric gift. Neumeier's primary heroes-Trei, Araene and, to some extent, Trei's friend and fellow kajuraihi novice, Ceirfei-all struggle to find their true purposes despite the limitations others place on them. In the process they prove to be invaluable allies and assets when warmongering Tolounn threatens to conquer the Floating Islands. While the mechanics of magic need more explanation and similar-sounding names may give pause, the well-drawn protagonists are sympathetic and behave consistently. Emotions are palpable, from grief and doubt to frustration. Neumeier has a talent for world-building and a knack for description, evident in her unique settings. Recommended for general purchase in school and public libraries with a fantasy fan base.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2011
Grades 7-10 Themes of finding home, creating identity, and sorting out loyalties in the face of others suspicions are woven beautifully into this fantasy story. Trei, who lost his family and home in a disaster, eventually finds his way to another country, the home of his cousin Araen'. The two become tentative friends and share their personal dreams: his, to fly with the majestic wingmen, and hers, to study to become a chef, although she must disguise herself as a boy in order to attend school. Their adventures converge when Treis adopted homeland is threatened by attack from his land of birth. Araen' provides the necessary defensive weapona dragons eggacquired illegally on her first day in the mage academy. Both adolescent and adult characters are rounded and realistic, and the two cousins parallel journeys are equally absorbing. Neumeiers writing is fluid and evocative, and the questions raised are reflections of those intrinsic to every individuals journey to adulthood.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)