Rating: 4.5⭐️
The collection contains the following books:
The House That Walked Between Worlds #1
House in Hiding #2
The House That Fought #3
This was a terrific way to binge the series. I was able to read all three novels as though they were one big book, each flowing seamlessly into each other’s narrative.
Charting the journey , through three books,of human sorcerer Dr Kira Aist from a state of deep raging, grieving trauma as she flees Earth and the deaths of those she loved to one of a woman content with her new as one of the few supremely powerful sorcerers and her role in the universe.
While Schwartz has created so many imaginative and fascinating characters and elements here, I have to admit that Kira’s “House” , an enormous sentient black intimidating castle, is one of my favorites. Full of personality, capable of space travel and a “world ender” in offensive combat powers, some of the best scenes and moments occur when the House is involved.
Honestly I could see a cable series with this.
Then there’s a goblin giant war cat (see the cover), and fascinating group of found family of friends that Kira starts to gather around her, and more importantly, a cyborg elf that eventually becomes her partner.
I did have a few notes about the trilogy. The overall theme involves children suffering as well as child deaths. Also brief torture scenes. While the torture scenes aren’t particularly graphic, they’re still emotional scenes. If any of these scenes or elements are triggering, please be warned.
Then finally, Evander, an elf turned into a cyborg without his permission, with devastating consequences, wears “warrior braids “. This is a hairstyle where each braid is one of remembrance, of a fallen brother warrior. That’s an element that is seen by many cultures and traditions.
But Schwartz’ Kira refers to them occasionally as Corn rows, which struck me as odd. Kira’s background is Russian. So this started veering away from warrior braids and into cultural appropriation territory. At least that’s how it felt to me.
Aside from those notes, this is another highly successful and well written trilogy from an author who is an auto-read for me.
Another winner and recommendation.
Cover design by Miblart
Buy link
Blurb
No spaceship needed. Kira has a magic, traveling castle.
Pursued by her parents’ killers, Doctor Kira Aist calls on her inheritance as Baba Yaga’s great-granddaughter to create a House and escape Earth.
Plunging into the dangerous mysteries of Reality, she learns what it means to be a rare human sorcerer.
As strangers are drawn to her House, Kira becomes enmeshed in a diabolical plot to destroy Reality.
Who can she trust?
Of her new friends, some seek refuge, others power, and one just wants kitty treats.
In a Reality that includes cyborg elves and goblin space pirates, kobold gossips and dinosaurian scholars, one human doctor must decide the price she’ll pay for justice—and for love.
***
The Uncertain Sanctuary bundle includes three previously published novels:
The House That Walked Between Worlds
House in Hiding
The House That Fought
A high stakes, cozy fantasy that romps across the universe.
Publication date
September 5, 2024
Language
English
Print length
618 pages
Galactic empire science fiction,
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 