Stemple explores the complications of family ties in this shimmering sequel to 2005’s Singer of Souls
. American musician Douglas Stewart has imprisoned his former mistress, the evil but beautiful former queen Aine, and now rules the Daoine Sidhe. Douglas’s sister, Bridie, a former cop, thinks he killed their grandmother and is scouring Scotland for him. Their brother, Scott, an Iraq war veteran tormented by hallucinations, is stuck caring for the baby who has mysteriously appeared on his doorstep. Fortunately, Mundoo, a mysterious Native American god, is around to provide parenting advice. When the siblings reunite in the realm of the Sidhe, Bridie and Scott must decide how much Douglas, who seems to be taking a turn for the megalomaniacal, can be trusted with his newfound power. Stemple riffs off Native American and Celtic myths with ease while skillfully depicting a world where any move can have dire consequences. (Mar.)
