Review of "Burning Glass"

"My weapon was no saber or pistol; it was the aura of legions."

     In Kathryn Purdie's debut novel Burning Glass, Auraseers don't just observe others' emotions--they absorb them. After years spent hiding her gift from the Riaznin Empire, Sonya Petrova has finally found refuge in a convent where she can learn to master it. When she loses control and accidentally causes dozens of deaths, however, Sonya realizes just how dangerous years on the run have made her become. Before she can begin her penance, a message from the emperor arrives: the sovereign Auraseer is dead, and she is next in line. Against her will, Sonya is pulled into a world of politics and twisted loyalties where she doesn't know who to trust--the emperor, the nobles, or kind Prince Anton. If she runs away, the ones to take her place will be children--and almost certainly dead.

     Many fantasy tales are set in exotic lands with soaring trees and glittering cities. Others take place in a grittier, more urban atmosphere. In the case of Burning Glass, it is the Riaznin Empire, an enormous country with a strong culture and a great deal of Russian influence. Where other titles have horse-drawn carriages, Riaznin has troikas. Instead of flowing silk dresses and priceless jewelry, Sonya is provided with fur robes and a pearl-studded headdress...much to her dismay. Unlike most Auraseers, who experience only the emotions of those they come near or touch, Sonya has the ability to feel the last emotions and sensations of the deceased as well. Ultimately, this power could either drive her mad or set her on a course to save her nation. And with such a richly detailed empire on the line, this threat feels very real.

     The plot is not as simple as it seems, though. Because of the manipulation of others' auras, Sonya can very rarely trust even herself. Despite this, she is determined to do the best she can to protect Emperor Valko as his sovereign Auraseer. Yet when she sees the way he schemes to conquer their neighbors and shuts down his brother's plans to aid the poor and helpless, she cannot help but wonder if he is the leader this empire needs. As he makes advances she doesn't know how to counter and his brother begins disappearing without explanation, she finds herself and her country on the brink of a war only she can stop. The trouble is, she may not want to.

     While Sonya is certainly out of her depth, she fares admirably well in the emperor's court. That is, when she's not drowning in the emotions of those around her or fighting an unhealthy relationship with the emperor himself. Her sanity is held in place by two things: the pain of her headdress's pearls, which steadies her, and Prince Anton's steadfast support. There's a splash of romance that doesn't grow until the perfect moment, even as her relationship with her lord becomes ever more violent. Any cursing is minimal, and while there's fighting it is generally clear of gore. Sonya performs daily penance for her sins--which include fire, a locked door, and a hungry pack of wolves--by absorbing a late friend's final emotions.

     I would recommend this book to anyone interested in one girl's complex journey from untrained Auraseer to her country's last line of defense against evil. Though it features a highly unhealthy relationship, Sonya's story is chock-full of meaning and power. The true romance emerges later on, once all else is established, and progresses beautifully. Add to this an intricate web of political turmoil, an almost magical ability with a high price, and a struggle between brothers that will decide the fate of the empire. Sonya is the key to it all, and a marvelous one at that. For strong characters, a vivid pseudo-Russian culture, and a brilliant sense of pacing, Kathryn Purdie's Burning Glass definitely deserves five golden stars.