MARCH 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Kim Mai Guest is an expert at bringing a story’s characters to life with distinct, memorable voices. Here, Guest depicts Chee’s vibrant and magical world, which envelops listeners in the sights and sounds of warring nations. The heroine, Sefia, is given a young, wispy voice that highlights both her vulnerability and growing strength. In contrast, Archer’s voice is angry and reserved, with Guest adding more confidence to the boy’s tone as his character develops. Guest offers a weak and bitter voice for Tanin, whose only goal is to locate Sefia and The Book. With her impeccable narration, Guest draws listeners into Sefia and Archer’s daring adventure. V.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for The Speaker:
★ "Filled with even more magic and intrigue than its predecessor, this is a gripping follow-up that will leave readers speculating and wanting more."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Strategically written with elements from the previous volume, this entry is rich with twists and turns that will leave readers in constant shock while reminding them that there are no coincidences in this narrative."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Fans will be knocking down the door to read this exciting sequel."—Booklist
“Chee has once again created an unforgettable story. Filled with secrets and surprises, this fast-paced storyline draws readers in and keeps them on their toes.”—VOYA
Praise for The Reader:
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year – 2016
Finalist for the 2016 Kirkus Prize
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year – 2016
An NPR Best Book of the Year – 2016
“I was spellbound from the first page. An utterly transportive tale of swashbucklers and sharpshooters, masterfully written. Traci Chee has penned a beautiful novel about the power of story, complete with a fantastic cast of characters and an expertly rendered fantasy landscape. This is a book you will not soon forget.”—Renée Ahdieh, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn
★ “Deftly rendered in beautiful prose, narrated through three shifting time lines woven into an interconnected history of duty, honor, and magic. . . . This is a must-have for all those who value a good read with genuine character growth, mystery, unique world-building, adventure, unyielding bonds of loyalty, and pirates.. . .A fresh, diverse fantasy; highly recommended for fans of Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart and female-powered adventures.”—School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Commanding storytelling and vivid details, particularly of the magical process of reading, bring the story to life… the first of what promises to be an enchanting series.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “Chee’s debut is an intricate, multilayered reading experience… An exploration of self-determination and the magic of the written word, Sefia’s story is an absorbing introduction to the Sea of Ink and Gold series.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “With evocative language, fascinating world building, multifaceted characters, and a compelling plot, this is a series fantasy lovers will want to sink their teeth into.”—Booklist, starred review
“Most world-building shies away from tackling the question of literacy within fantasy cultures, but here it serves as the beating meta-heart.”—NPR
School Library Journal
★ 09/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—This installment picks up where The Reader ended, with Sefia and Archer on the run from The Guard. Unsure about how to proceed, Sefia searches the Book and uncovers several jaw-dropping discoveries: Tanin is still alive and Archer is still believed to be the one to lead the impending Red War. In an effort to quell Archer's nightmares and to stop the conflict, the pair uses the Book to find and kill impressors and free their captives. Meanwhile, Tanin will stop at nothing to retrieve the Book, to ensure important events take place that lead to the Red War, and to hold on to her power. This sequel is an intense story about destiny, sacrifice, and selflessness. Chee introduces dynamic characters with gut-wrenching backstories, whom readers will want to hate but won't be able to resist rooting for. Strategically written with elements from the previous volume, this entry is rich with twists and turns that will leave readers in constant shock while reminding them that there are no coincidences in this narrative. VERDICT A must-have for all collections and highly recommended for fans of Mary E. Pearson's "The Remnant Chronicles" or Megan Whalen Turner's "The Queen's Thief" series.—Dawn Abron, Zion-Benton Public Library, IL
MARCH 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Kim Mai Guest is an expert at bringing a story’s characters to life with distinct, memorable voices. Here, Guest depicts Chee’s vibrant and magical world, which envelops listeners in the sights and sounds of warring nations. The heroine, Sefia, is given a young, wispy voice that highlights both her vulnerability and growing strength. In contrast, Archer’s voice is angry and reserved, with Guest adding more confidence to the boy’s tone as his character develops. Guest offers a weak and bitter voice for Tanin, whose only goal is to locate Sefia and The Book. With her impeccable narration, Guest draws listeners into Sefia and Archer’s daring adventure. V.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2017-08-12
The adventure continues in Chee's second installment of the Sea of Ink and Gold series.Sefia and Archer have escaped the Guard, but the danger is far from over. They are still being hunted, and their past and future, slowly being revealed by the Book, are catching up to them. Struggling to accept the dark truths of their pasts, Sefia and Archer embark on a crusade to eliminate all the impressors and free the boys whom, like Archer, the impressors have kidnapped and brutally trained to kill. Meanwhile, the pirate Reed and his colorful crew are derailed from their pursuit of eternal glory when they find out the Blue Navy is threatening their way of life by hunting and eliminating their fellow outlaws at sea. New characters are introduced, and with them, more secrets are revealed. Chee's skill at managing complex storylines shines through as stories upon stories meet and intertwine in startling ways. Throughout it all, Sefia delves deeper into the book and her parents' past for clues of her and Archer's future. What she finds will catapult them into an even more dangerous and impossible mission. The novel features a diverse cast of characters, and Sefia has East Asian features. Filled with even more magic and intrigue than its predecessor, this is a gripping follow-up that will leave readers speculating and wanting more. (Fantasy. 14-adult)
