The Thirteenth House (Twelve Houses Series #2) by Sharon Shinn

From the Publisher

The first book of The Twelve Houses, Mystic and Rider, introduced readers to the troubled land of Gillengaria. Now, Sharon Shinn continues her epic tale, as a beautiful shapeshifter finds that intrigue and danger can be found even in the safest of havens...

After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during which she unexpectedly meets up with her compatriots from her previous adventures. The motley group faces many dangers- and Kirra places herself in peril when she falls in love with the married Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House.

Publishers Weekly

Restless shape-shifter Kirra, having just fallen for a married man and been disowned by her otherwise loving family, needs a break at the start of bestseller Shinn's outstanding second novel in her Twelve Houses series (after 2004's Mystic and Rider). Kirra's younger sister, Casserah, provides her one. The newly titled Casserah is supposed to appear at the summer parties thrown by major lords of Gillengaria, but she could care less. Assuming Casserah's form, Kirra sets out on the social circuit in her stead to learn more about the nobles plotting to overthrow the king. Instead of taking the side of the ostensibly oppressed, Shinn dares to be a royalist, though not without sympathy to the underclasses. She brings back Kirra's companions from Mystic and Rider, adds several enjoyable new characters and paints their journey with a lyrical grace and deep appreciation of camaraderie reminiscent of Diane Duane at her best. Only the one-dimensional villain (always Shinn's weakest point) and the forehead-slapping stupidity of the infatuated lovers mar this superior fantasy series. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

The shiftling Kirra aids in the rescue of Lord Romar Brendyn, kidnapped by the minor lords before she returns to her home where she learns that her sister Casserah has been appointed heir to House Danalustrous. When Casserah proves reluctant to attend affairs outside the house, Kirra, shifting into her sister's shape, attends in her stead only to find herself falling in love with the already married Lord Romar. In the meantime, the Twelve Houses of Gillengaria continue their political maneuverings, watched by the ever-ambitious lords of the Thirteenth House. Set in a world of noble houses, shapeshifting mystics, and dexterous swordsmen, the sequel to Mystic and Rider further develops Shinn's new series characters and introduces new plot elements. Shinn (the "Archangel" trilogy) provides a wealth of action and a balanced cast of genuinely heroic and admirable characters. For most fantasy collections. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Lyrical and entertaining fantasy, second in The Twelve Houses series begun with Mystic and Rider (2005). Shapeshifter and mystic healer Kirra is sent on a mission to rescue Romar Brendyn, the abducted regent of Gillengaria. Successful, Kirra returns home to Danalustrous, where she learns that she has been passed over as heir in favor of her non-shiftling half-sister, Casserah. When Casserah refuses to leave Danalustrous to pay a social visit to each of the Twelve Houses, Kirra offers to assume her shape and go in her place. While visiting the other houses, she runs again into Regent Romar, and an attack on the regent's life forces Kirra to reveal herself to him in order to save his life. They must find the cause of this unrest among the houses if they are to keep Princess Amalie and the regent alive and prevent mystic-fearing factions from taking control. Peopled by well-drawn characters that readers can really bond with, Shinn's tale of a land divided among those who wield magic and those who do not trust it abounds with subtle romance and high-spirited adventure. Ideal for readers who like a little romance with their fantasy.

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