Samiha’s Song by Mary Victoria

This is the second book of Mary Victoria’s Chronicles of the Tree trilogy, following closely on the heels of Tymon’s Flight and preceding the final book Oracle’s Fire. As is always the case with middle installments, the story neither begins nor ends, though there is more scope for world-building, character development, and getting the disparate plot-threads in place for the final book. The setting of the story is one of its most unique aspects, as the trilogy takes place in a giant tree… There is a lot of exposition to get through concerning the spiritual and philosophical makeup of this world, but it’s interspersed with action sequences and political intrigue, keeping the pacing swift. Furthermore, there are several intriguing twists… Mary Victoria is good at blending the usual fantasy tropes with a level of ambiguity that allows for shades of grey in her worldview… Read the rest.