Roar of Sky

This satisfying finale to the Blood of Earth trilogy (following 2017’s Call of Fire) takes its heroes to the crest of victory. In this alternate early 20th century where magic and politics intertwine, the U.S. and Japan team up for a war against China. Hidden geomancer Ingrid Carmichael, granddaughter of the Hawaiian volcano goddess Madam Pele, is counseled by a legendary Chinese being to deliver a divine weapon, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, to her adoptive brother, Lee, son of the late emperor. This will allow Lee to defeat the Japanese fox spirit who is directing the United Pacific military. Aboard her true love Cy Jenning’s airship, Ingrid must devise a way to infiltrate the colossal United Pacific floating city, Excalibur, and hope to convince Cy’s sister Maggie, the chief engineer, to stop the behemoth before it is used. Cato skillfully arranges her scenes to underscore the emotional strengths that propel her characters to be “audacious and brave,” and empathy and redemption are at the heart of her tale. This is a sterling conclusion to a strong series. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore and Company. (Nov.)