Dark of the West by Joanna Hathaway

Abstract

Reviewed by: Dark of the West by Joanna Hathaway Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Hathaway, Joanna Dark of the West. Tor Teen, 2019 [480p] (Glass Alliance) Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-7653-9641-9 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-7653-9643-3 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 7-10 After uniting the eastern territories with pure military force, Athan’s father, General Dakar, is ready to turn his bombs and airplanes (one of which Athan will man) north to prove the might of his newly formed nation of Savient. Princess Aurelia is aware that politics in her northern kingdom of Etania are tricky but trusts her mother when she pursues an alliance with Savient’s general, despite the protests from their people. The queen’s invitation brings Athan to Etania, and the princess and pilot fall in love; when Savient’s covert military operations and true goals are exposed, Athan and Aurelia must pick sides in the conflict. Hathaway builds her world with an impressively deft hand, laying out much of the background and history through dialogue and action while keeping exposition to a minimum in Athan and Aurelia’s alternating narration. This is more a political thriller than a romance, with Aurelia and Athan’s relationship pushed aside to make room for the constantly shifting alliances, but their letters to each other present a innocent contrast to the growing unrest around them as they profess their love and eternal affection—promises that they must ultimately break. The clash between Savient’s developing military and the North’s reliance on honor and order offers a compelling picture of what happens when the rules of war change, but it’s the heartbreaking prologue that will grab readers’ immediate attention, and its hints will keep them hooked for the next installment. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois