Magic of Wind and Mist

November 13, 2017
Set in the same fantasy universe as Magic of Blood and Sea (2017), this bind-up of two previously published novels (“The Wizard’s Promise” and “The Nobleman’s Revenge”) unevenly tells the tale of teenager Hanna Euli, a windwitch. While out on a routine fishing trip with her apprentice-master Kolur, she realizes that they’re sailing farther north than they should be. The barrier between Hanna’s world and the Mists, a world that’s home to magically powerful beings, is much thinner in the North. Kolur refuses to tell her what’s going on, so Hanna leaves him when they dock, only to rejoin him after agents of the Mists attack her. With the help of a mysterious boy named Isolfr, Hanna must stop an entity from the Mists from gaining a foothold in her world. Hanna’s matter-of-fact attitude is refreshing, and her reactions are genuine and easy to empathize with. However, many pages are devoted to traveling, causing some sections to drag. The plot moves in fits and starts, notably when Hanna decides to leave Kolur and make her own way home. Regardless, Clarke’s worldbuilding is spot-on, with different cultures of Hanna’s world distinctly represented. Readers will be excited to see where this universe goes in the future.