The Glasswrights' Journeyman

When Morenia is struck with a deadly fire the flames leave many of the buildings level and many of the touched struck ill with firelung. King Hal knows that the country needs more money to fund programs to help not only his people but the still recovering country of Armanthia. He may have to wed the soft spoken relgiously devout princess of Liantine for her dowry. But he cannot do this alone. He invites Rani Trader, who now 18-years-old and working on becoming a glasswrights Journeyman, to come with him to help bargain. But little does he know that a scandal is already building in Laintine. In the Spidersilk guild there is another girl, Mareka, who is also working on her journeyman status and in Liantine the 1000 gods are practically forbidden to be spoken of. Rani Trader and Hal are facing their greatest challenge yet, with the fate of Morenia in their hands.After the Glasswrights Progress I didn't think it could get any better but I was wrong. The Glasswrights Journeyman, so far the 3rd in the Glasswirghts Saga, is an amazing work of fantasy. All the wonderfully complicated that we have learned to love are back such as Rani, Hal, Mair and Crestman. That's the thing I love the most about this series, the characters are so real. The hero's aren't perfect and the villains aren't completely evil. For example Hal is a noble king but he is also dangerously ambitious and a bit power hungry. Rani can be selfish at times and Mair can be pushy. It's these great characters, and some of the new ones, that make this book such a thrill. I can't wait until the next book in the series, The Glasswrights Test (coming out around June next year) hits the shelves.

This book continues the tale of Rani Trader, as she struggles to rebuild the Glasswright's Guild. She must balance this need with the many other demands being put upon her by her young King. Her home of Morenia is suffering with the aftermath of war, plague, and fire. The king has become deeply indebted to the church, borrowing huge sums of gold to aid in rebuilding, and has become deeply enmeshed in the plots of the mysterious Fellowship. Despite the feelings that are developing between him and Rani, he knows he must take a rich and noble wife in order to strengthen his weak hold on his kingdom. He settles upon the daughter of a neighboring kingdom, despite the fact that this kingdom has enslaved many of his own people and worships a false goddess. Rani is called upon to once again unravel the plots surrounding the king and help pull him out of a tight situation. At the same time she learns lost arts of glassmaking, becomes patron of a group of skilled actors, and sets the groundwork for starting a profitable silk trade for her king and kingdom. I look forward to the next book! This author really knows how to make you care for her characters. Will Rani ever become a master glasswright, or will all the demands of the kingdom destroy her? This character has been through so much and matured and developed in such a realistic manner, changing through the books from a spoiled girl child to a strong, noble woman. I hope there is a happy ending in store for her.

Rani Trader matures as a character and Miss Klasky's takes full advantage of Rani's development from a being a young pawn of her environment to a grown woman with a devotion to a purpose, that of the full restoration of the Glasswright's guild in the City of Jair. Rani/Ranita feels like a real human being, complete with flaws and the ability to make bad decisions based on preconceived notions of the world around her. Her friends and companions are likewise human, and don't always behave as shallow, forever loyal entities. Miss Klasky has created a magical story that doesn't rely on magic to maintain her reader's interest. The goals, ambitions and love of the characters combine with fascinating settings and well-crafted social structure make the entire Glasswright's Journey worthwhile. While Glasswright's Journey is the third book in the series, it yet remains a wonderful novel in and of itself.

Well, I love this author, because she always manages to surprise you with what will happen next. Yet even as this is a good thing, she still can annoy me just a bit. Her plots are deep, her characters well described, and the whole storyline is set out pretty much perfectly. Yet still, she can make it seem like such is going to happen, while the story really takes new twists. I was a bit surprised that the romance between Hal and Rani did not develop as much as I thought it would. Instead of doing this, she always seem to add on another possible love interest in her books. Of course this makes it more interesting, yet it leaves a part of the book waiting for continuance. I can't wait for the next book though. I want to read another brand new plot, and perhaps learn about another couple friends added on.

In the kingdom of Moren, the capital city of Morenia is almost burnt to the ground by a fire whose origins are shrouded in mystery. King Hal, once thought daft by his own people, wants to rebuild the city but his coffers are practically bare. The people who helped put the fire out are suffering and dying from a plague known as firelung.When the disease spreads to other castes and classes, Hal borrows money from the church at usury rates. To pay the loan off on time, Hal accedes to his councilors' wishes that he marry. He courts Princess Berylina of Liantine and begs Rani Trader to accompany him to negotiate on his behalf. She agrees even though she wants Hal to commit to rebuilding the Glasswright's Guild that his father dismantled. When they arrive in Liantine, their well thought out plans fall apart. Rani negotiates harder than she has ever done before to save her kingdom and Hal's throne.This is the third Rani Trader book and it is the best book in the series. The protagonist has grown into a mature woman who realizes there is no such thing as instant gratification. Her friendship with the king is based on loyalty, honor and trust even when she doesn't agree with him. The bond is so strong no outsider can break it. The king's concern for his people and the sacrifices he is willing to make to alleviate their suffering is a beautiful thing to behold. Mindy j. Klasky has written a juicy epic fantasy that will appeal to fans of Mercedes Lackey.Harriet Klausner