The Clockwork Crown

Dire circumstances and an unsettling sense of inevitable heartache make Cato’s sequel to The Clockwork Dagger a more somber affair, grounded in earth magic rather than the high-flying razzle-dazzle of steampunk. Magical healer Octavia Leander is alarmed by the scope of her new powers and slightly dispirited as she and Alonzo Garrett, the dashing assassin turned love interest, try to uncover information about the Lady, whose mysterious tree is the source of Octavia’s powers. An unexpected source of menace moves the story into fresh territory, while the escalating hostilities between the corrupt kingdom of Caskentia and its even more violent rebel province, the Dallows, put the vigorously determined Octavia in more than enough danger to satisfy her fans. Cato continues to defy expectations, moving the saga toward an unexpected, heartfelt conclusion, and the revelations about Octavia’s abilities are amply rewarding. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore and Co. (June)