Fascinatingly original and intriguing…
Set in one of the kingdoms of her fantasy series, Franklin’s captivating book (companion to her fantasy world) is intended to provide the background about the customs of the southernmost country. When it comes to religion, particularly the religious spirt of the Frewyns, the spiritually indifferent Frewyn and the oppressively devout Gallesians are unable to see eye to eye. It’s up to Baronous Hodge, a Marridonian historian, to present the fascinating culture of the kingdom with accuracy and objectivity. Franklin endearingly introduces the Frewyn culture, highlighting their covert secularism where observing religious idiosyncrasies is more of a tradition than a holy practice. A fascinating introduction in the voice of Baronous provides backdrop, while the charms and rituals of the Gods show mini-narratives, and the herbal remedies offer the art of healing. The Frewyns with their strange atheism and the sense of accepting divinity without needing to do anything about it will make readers eager to read the series set in the kingdom.