Cry of Metal and Bone by L. Penelope ~ a Review

by MK French

Following the fall of the Mantle, Lagrimari flee to Elsira. A group with ties to the Elsiran government starts launching attacks, so a team has to investigate them. Disgraced socialite Lizvette Nirale and smuggler Tai Summerhawk must team up to look into deadly magic, secret agendas, and court intrigue to discover the truth.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

August 2020;  St. Martin's Griffin; 978-1250148117
audio, ebook, print (496 pages); fantasy 

Cry of Metal and Bone is the third book in the Earthsinger Chronicles, following Song of Blood and Stone (read my review) and Whispers of Shadow and Flame (read my review). (I named the second book as one of my favorite reads in November 2019.) It definitely helps to have read the first two novels first, because the stars of those appear here as well. This novel is focused on Tai and Lizvette, but it still starts in Elsira weeks after the fall of the Mantle. Intrigue abounds, as there are factions that don't want the Langrimari to live in Elsira, whether by expelling them forcefully or creating a second separate kingdom for them to live in. On top of that, the other neighboring kingdoms still exist and have their own motives for clandestinely sending operatives to Elsira.

As the book progresses, we see more of other kingdoms besides Elsira and Langrimar. Racism is rampant in all of the countries, especially Elsira. Classism is also present, and there are those who look down on the Physicks, those who combine magic and machinery into amalgams. These feature in multiple story threads, as well as explaining some mysterious events from earlier books. There's danger in every story thread, from those staying behind in Elsira and unearthing a conspiracy involving high ranking officials, to those heading to Yaly to find Lizvette's father. It's a novel with more political and racial overtones than prior novels because now Jack and Jessaminda are in power when so many others disapprove of that.

There will be more in this series of novels, as we're seeing more of the broader world. It's fascinating, and it's difficult to avoid drawing parallels to our world.

As with our world, it's going to take the dedicated work of those seeking justice and the betterment of the people to effect change.

Buy Cry of Metal and Bone at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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