A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

I have been recommending A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess lately.  The dramatic cover is not only eye-catching, it alludes to the many twists and turns in this new fantasy with a strong female main character.  Henrietta (Nettie) has unusual powers and when they are discovered she is whisked away to London in an attempt to fight the Ancients, giant beasts who take on horrible shapes and powers of their own.

There, she is introduced to a society with its own rules about sorcerers and magicians – class distinctions are key.  As a result, life is hard for her friend, Rook, who was scarred by the Ancients and is considered Unclean. Nettie struggles with learning to control her powers and her emotions, all while trying to combat sexism and determine who is worthy of her trust.

A Shadow Bright and Burning is full of magic, adventure and intrigue. Cluess does an excellent job of evoking the hardships of Victorian-era England. It’s oppressive, dark and dangerous, with Nettie and her small band of friends just awakening to the fight for justice while seeking safety for all.  A longer, but relatively easy read, A Shadow Bright and Burning will appeal to middle school and younger high school students who will eagerly await the second title in this series.