Read & Remark: The House of the Four Winds

Pirates and mutiny and magic, oh my! We've got an adventure on our hands, readers! This has all the hallmarks of a high seas adventure!

Mercedes Lackey paired up with James Mallory to write this tale of love and secrecy, and it's a fun blend of cocky sailors and a practical princess, with enough sword fights to give you a taste for blood. I've previously enjoyed Lackey's work, especially her Heralds of Valdemar series, and this is an interesting work in a very different style from those novels!

Princess Clarice has left her home of Swansgaarde to make her fortune in the world, as her family cannot afford to pay the dowries of eleven daughters. She's ready to set off and sell her skill as a swordmaster, disguising herself as a man. Now, Clarence books passage on a ship, only to be caught up in the mutiny. Finding herself attached to the crew and its charming new captain, Dominick, Clarice isn't able to reveal her identity to him before they run afoul of a sorceress, and the crew is commanded to help her find a magical object on an impossible quest.

Clarice has to deal with her growing feelings for Dominick, a sorceress who will kill them when she reaches her goal, and a crew who isn't sure they want to brave these seas.

While this tale is a tad predictable and love-struck, there is no doubt that this is also a fun and wild adventure, with likable characters, well-written prose, and a princess who is exceedingly competent rather than useless. There's never a dull moment to be found on the high seas.

Lackey and Mallory introduce their protagonist princess, but then refuse to introduce another good female character. Instead, the only other females either play small parts, or are firmly villains in the eyes of Clarice. Vilifying most of the female characters in this story isn't the best way to start out, and I would have liked to meet more positive women other than just vaguely hearing about Clarice's sisters and mother. There's a cute little love story that helps the plot trot along, and doesn't detract from Clarice's character--which is great, because Clarice doesn't lose herself to the love, and the story moves forward with very little reliance on the love plot.

The ending is exceedingly satisfying and open-ended--the plot has been tied up with a neat little bow, but there is enough there to suggest a further story, about Clarice or her sisters, which is a cool possibility.

Overall, I did enjoy this story. It's a fast read, has an entertaining plot and satisfying characters, and has some great hats. I'd recommend this if you like swashbuckling tales with cross-dressing princesses, a few pirates of questionable morals, and a love story that isn't exaggerated.

Until we meet on the seas again, check out more of Lackey's novels! She is one of my favorite authors, and has one of the easiest writing styles to read quickly. Her novels are always enjoyable. I'm not that familiar with James Mallory, but after this novel I'm looking forward to reading more!