Prism Cloud, Jeff Wheeler – Book Review

Hello Humans! If you’ve been around on this blog for a little while you’ll know that I’ve reviewed every book in the Harbinger series so far – and I’m not stopping now. What started out as a fun series with orphans and skyships and regency-style social rules has morphed into a political drama the likes of which I was not ready for. Prism Cloud is, I believe, the penultimate book in the series (although I originally thought this was a trilogy so what do I know?) and things are HOTTING UP (in a non-sexy way as this is Jeff Wheeler).

Goodreads Summary: 

When the emperor is assassinated, Sera Fitzempress is the noble most eligible to inherit the empire. Her upcoming marriage to the prince would cement her position. And as a champion for peace, Sera is the only promise of hope for staving off war between the worlds of Kingfountain and Muirwood. But standing between her and her enemies is just one devastating secret.

Sera’s best friend, Cettie, a girl born of a lower class, has made a shattering discovery: her entire existence has been a lie. Now Cettie must give up the only life she’s known and fought for and leave behind the man she loves to stop Sera’s wedding. For this discovery could bring the whole of Kingfountain to ruin.

As Cettie struggles to determine her true loyalties and loves, her allies fall to wicked plots, and she becomes increasingly alone on her journey to a destiny she never wanted—one that could ignite an unstoppable war.

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What I’ve found particularly interesting throughout this whole series is that this is a dual POV book in which the two POV characters, while they do know each other well, spend very little (to no) time together on the page. Cettia and Sera meet and bond at school, the majority of which takes place between the first two books, Storm Glass and Mirror Gate. Normally, this would bother me intensely. I’ve found in other books that I enjoy a dual POV that gives you two sides to the same story, and I like characters who get to interact on the page. But in this case, I think it works. Cettie and Sera capture that ‘we’re friends but we don’t get to see each other a lot’ friendship that I am currently relating to in a big way  – and that I think would apply to younger readers too, friendships change in a lot of different ways and capturing a long-distance friendship across four books is no mean feat.

So yes, I’m still enamoured with Cettie and Sera. I think I personally liked Sera’s plotline more in this book, which is a bit of a departure from the norm as Cettie the sky sailing wonder is normally my hero, but perhaps I was in the mood for something a little more romantic and also political this time around? That is another great thing about this series is they have a lot of different themes and ideas so you can almost certainly find a story you either enjoy or are in the mood for within the wider narrative.

There’s quite a bit of romance in this particular story, I’ve come to expect that from Wheeler’s books and honestly, they tend to be very sweet. I would call it ‘chaste’ fiction (as opposed to ‘clean) because I don’t like the idea of ‘clean’ fiction as it implies a ‘dirty’ and therefore ‘wrong’ element. But if you are looking for something chaste then this is a great story to go for.

No spoilers, but I take back what I said about Jeff Wheeler only writing books where everything is ok all the time. I take it back Jeff. Please make things ok – because I am still not ok with some of the things that happened in this book. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you are a fan of the series go in prepared.

I am still hugely invested in this series, and the fact that my enthusiasm has not yet been curbed after four books is nothing short of a miracle of great writing. It’s also possibly because, unlike other series, I’m not waiting for very long in between books – I read Storm Glass in May of last year. But I do believe it’s because of the imaginative and intriguing world Wheeler has crafted, and the fascinating story he is telling within that world. I am genuinely going to be a little sad when this series is over – and it may warrant a Kingfountain re-read.

My rating: 4/5 stars

I received a digital advanced review copy for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Prism Cloud publishes March 3rd!

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What say you? Will you be reading Prism Cloud? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

J