It is always a pleasure to delve into the detailed, gorgeous story-telling of Caitlin Sweet; A Telling of Stars and Silences of Home are no exception to that experience.

In these two linked novels Sweet reveals an epic story spanning centuries, with actions that echo through generations with devastating effect.

In the first, A Telling of Stars, we are introduced to the young woman, Jaele, who has suffered a terrorist attack on her fishing village, with the terrorists a long-accursed race from across the sea. In her quest for vengeance, she crosses her country to the sea, following in the footsteps of a legendary queen, the author of the curse which brought terrorists raiding Jaele’s village.

The story, however, is so much more than a blood-debt. Sweet examines the rejection of contentment, acceptance, and peace in the face of irrationality and shattering grief. The writing is lyrical without being purple, the environmental detail precise and revealing without hampering the narrative. This is, frankly, storytelling at its best.

Silences of Home is the prequel to A Telling of Stars, and the framework of the story deals with the origin of the curse brought down upon the Raiders. It is a complex and compelling story, examining power, deceit and the ambiguities of love. There are shattering moments. And there are moments of redemption.

If you like fantasy which pushes the boundaries, which makes no excuse for intelligence and imagination, I urge you to consider these two novels by Sweet. You won’t be disappointed. ( )

Found it somewhat misandrist
see http://www.sfsite.com/04a/si197.htm ( )

Reviewed at FBS - http://www.fantasybookspot.com/?q=node/view/336 ( )