The Sunless Countries (Virga #4): 01/15/10

Like so much of my reading I read the forth of Karl Schroeder's Virga series, The Sunless Countries first. My newly opened library has designed their new books section to look like a book store. It makes the new books so appealing that I've been grabbing books later in the series.

The first three books follow Hayden Griffin a man bent on revenge for the deaths of his parents. They had been sun builders, a very valuable skill in the dark balloon skin of Virga. In The Sunless Countries Schroeder introduces a new main character and explores life in the darkest areas of Virga.

Leal Hieronyma Maspeth is a lecturer hoping for tenure at her local university. Unfortunately her town is in the grips of a conservative take over and the new government has its sights on the university and any other point of view that is contrary to their religious views.

Of course though (and probably for fans of the first three books), Leal ends up being an outcast from her town and ends up in alliance with Hayden Griffin. Together they explore the darkest and scariest parts of Virga and learn more about the world's history (exactly what the relgious leaders don't want).

Schroeder does a fantastic job of creating Virga and the worlds contained within. He makes Leal's day to day life believable and compelling.

I tore through the book in about a day and a half. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I know that's a cliche but for this book it's true. It was in my hands whenever I had a free moment of time.

I am now working my way through the previous three books.

The Virga Series:

• Sun of Suns (Virga, #1)
  
• Queen of Candesce (Virga, #2)
  
• Pirate Sun (Virga, #3)
  
• The Sunless Countries (Virga, #4)

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Wednesday, February, 3, 2010 at 06:40:50

Sassy Brit

Fantastic! This certainly seems one for me. "Believable and compelling" just what I want to hear. Glad it was as good as it looked!

Thanks for this!

Comment #2: Friday, February 5, 2010 at 19:40:56

Pussreboots

I have finished the first and second book in the series too, The Sun of Suns and Queen of Cadensce and I will get book #3 on my next trip to the library. It's the most enjoyable science fiction series I've read in years.