The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury (review)

This second novel in an anticipated trilogy (the first being The Sin Eater’s Daughter, BCCB 4/15) shares the world of the previous title but focuses on a very different group of characters and problems. Errin struggles to keep herself and her very sick mother alive, making ends meet by supplying a mysterious man with potions and poisons, trying to shake off her sexy but dangerous dreams about a different (but also mysterious) man, while longing for a more secure life. And this is all before the appearance of the Sleeping Prince, a murderous being (who could be mortal, monster, or god) who is hoping to, essentially, take over this corner of the world. There’s much of the same grappling with science and mysticism/magic as in the earlier book, but Errin doesn’t have much time for philosophical musings as she’s well aware that if she’s dead, there won’t be much point in deep thoughts. Even the romances are risky, a nice touch that keeps the tension high and reinforces the rarity of safety. It will be intriguing to see where the third novel goes and how tightly the threads from these first two will be woven together in the conclusion; regardless of where the trilogy heads, readers will undoubtedly be keeping an eye out for the final volume.