Truthmaker

A thoroughly enjoyable read, Chapelle’s continuation of Gee’s fictional world is as exciting, beautifully imagined and affecting as the original. The vivid descriptions of the dark and dangerous backstreets of Galp, teeming with thieves and jackers, mirror the inner tensions of our heroes Fliss and Minnie. . . . The pursuit to uncover the ultimate purpose of the Truthmaker’s mission serves as a journey of self-discovery for Fliss. She must learn to trust her judgement and intuition, make sense of her hopes and desires, and begin to fully comprehend the world and her place within it, politically and personally. The history of this fictional land is complex and in the way of the best fantasy writing, it is often reminiscent of our own–in its depiction of the effects of colonisation, the danger of wide-spread misinformation and the enduring importance of knowledge and solidarity.Full of brave, vibrant characters and unexpected twists, I’d recommend it to anyone seeking an easy-going fantasy experience that delivers on adventure, authentic world-building and has a message of intersectionality at its core.

Amber Louise, Kete

The sequel to Maurice Gee’s The Severed Land, this author has done an incredible job of capturing the personality and spirit of the main character Fliss. Tension is just as high as in the first book, as Fliss and her best friend Minnie look for answers where only danger lurks and also learn to trust others who could just as easily hand them to ruthless men or slavers. The Severed Land began in a high tree as Fliss watches soldiers on the other side of an invisible and impenetrable wall. The Truthmaker winds back to the same tree as part of the heart thumping conclusion. Maurice Gee has authorised and endorsed The Truthmaker as it picks up where The Severed Land left off. At less than 210 pages it is a quick read, but holds all the world building and excitement of many more.

Adele Broadbent, whatbooknext.com