In a land of vast forests and clustered cities, humans and anthelai live in uneasy proximity. Forced deep into the wilds, the anthelai are feared and hated. They are perceived as monsters, servants of the dark god Enas, master of the hell-like Plains of Centura. Halfbloods, the children of two species, are extremely rare. The blood does not mix easy, but when it does, the result belongs to neither side. They are outcasts. Anathema. Pariah. The lone survivor of an attack that destroys her home and family, one halfblood girl is captured by a man bent on transforming her into a deadly assassin. Guildmaster Lorcen Caspon hopes that her demon-like presence at his side will aid him in conquering a kingdom. Bound by magic to work her master's dark plan, the woman, known only as the Nightingale, silently vows her revenge. She has lost her home, family, freedom, and even her name. But the Nightingale is stronger than anyone realizes, and she will not break.
Nightingale
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Effectively melding briskly paced action with the internal struggles of both a traumatized young outcast forced into horrific deeds and the wily but honorable Talros, Mickelsen brings fresh twists and emotional depth to her tightly written, compelling tale of mercantile politics, interracial conflict, and difficult choices. - Publishers Weekly
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More About the Author
Melissa Mickelsen wanted to be a veterinarian or a zookeeper (elephants only, please!) when she was younger. Instead, she became a writer.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was a great company on my recent travels. The plot was a breath of fresh air as it transported me to a distant land and time. The descriptions of the Anthela and Cardea people and their customs are particularly vivid. Nightingale is also full of fast paced action and will appeal to very different readers. I didn't want to put this book down and I look forward to read more about the main characters.
Format:Paperback
Nightingale is the alias of a young half blood girl, daughter of an 'anthelai' (elf-like) father and a human mother, who survives a brutal attack on her home only to be captured by a man bent on transforming her into a deadly assassin.
This is a wonderfully engaging novel from start to finish; a story of innocence destroyed and rage honed into murderous intent. Though Nightingale becomes a cold-hearted killer, we sympathize with her plight every step of the way. The characters who populate her world are equally compelling. The ruthless and ambitious Caspon is easy to hate, and General Talros is nicely reminiscent of Victor Hugo's Inspector Javert in his relentless hunt for the assassin.
The only stumbling point for me in the novel was the manner in which Caspon gained control over his half-blood assassin. In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I will simply say that I would have liked to have seen a deeper psychological game played here, which I think would have worked just as effectively and even more insidiously than the tool employed by the novel.
Other than that, this was a near-perfect novel, and one I highly recommend to any reader of fantasy. I hope we do not have to wait long for Mickelsen's next book, as I very much look forward to reading more of her work.
This is a wonderfully engaging novel from start to finish; a story of innocence destroyed and rage honed into murderous intent. Though Nightingale becomes a cold-hearted killer, we sympathize with her plight every step of the way. The characters who populate her world are equally compelling. The ruthless and ambitious Caspon is easy to hate, and General Talros is nicely reminiscent of Victor Hugo's Inspector Javert in his relentless hunt for the assassin.
The only stumbling point for me in the novel was the manner in which Caspon gained control over his half-blood assassin. In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I will simply say that I would have liked to have seen a deeper psychological game played here, which I think would have worked just as effectively and even more insidiously than the tool employed by the novel.
Other than that, this was a near-perfect novel, and one I highly recommend to any reader of fantasy. I hope we do not have to wait long for Mickelsen's next book, as I very much look forward to reading more of her work.
