Splinters of Scarlet

May 15, 2020
Issues of servitude and sacrifice simmer beneath the surface of a lush 19th-century fantasy. Marit Olsen has lost her father (mining accident); her sister, Ingrid (magic overuse), and her place at the orphanage but is determined not to lose little 11-year-old Eve too. When Helene Vestergaard--a ballet dancer and former orphan who married rich--adopts Eve, Marit abandons her thankless seamstress job, following Eve to Copenhagen and into service. Like the other servants, Marit relies on her minor magic; all risk the inescapable, seemingly incurable, icy and fatal Firn by using their powers to keep the Vestergaards comfortable. Blaming the Vestergaards for her father's death, Marit investigates the family, endangering everyone, even Eve. Chapters from the point of view of Philip Vestergaard explore how powerlessness, patriotism, and greed can lead to villainy. In addition to class inequality, Murphy tackles racism, with biracial Helene (Crucian mother/Danish father) and Eve (West Indian mother/father unknown) facing prejudice despite their talent and wealth in this otherwise white world. Part wish-fulfillment fantasy, with lavish descriptions of clothing, food, and flowers, part gritty whodunit, beneath the familiar upstairs-downstairs drama and glitter, the novel is also an extended (if sometimes obvious) metaphor for how the luxuries of capitalism, commerce, and colonialism ultimately cost lives. Come for the ballet costumes, stay for the expos� of corruption. (Fantasy. 12-18)

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May 15, 2020
Grades 7-10 Marit knows better than most the dangers of the Firn, a deadly poison that builds in the veins when a magic-user pushes their abilities too far. She watched her sister die from it, and ever since, she's been careful to use her own seamstress magic sparingly. With both of her parents dead, too, Marit has been in a Danish orphanage since she lost her sister, and she's formed a close bond with Eve, a younger girl. When Eve is adopted by Helene Vestergaard, a former orphan and wealthy dancer, Marit, determined not to lose the one person she has left, uses her magic to land a job as a seamstress in Helene's home. But the family Helene married into owns the mines where Marit's father died, and in her home, Marit begins to uncover secrets both magical and political that run deep throughout the whole country. Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Denmark, this standalone historical fantasy has an intriguing premise and a large cast. Hand to fans of dangerous magic and found families.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from July 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Raised in an orphanage, Marit is a gifted seamstress-a gift sometimes enhanced with magic. She uses it sparingly, however, as she is haunted by her sister's death from its overuse. Her sister's last words were, "I think I went too far," as the icy blue veins of the Firn appeared at the back of her wrists, signalling her imminent demise and freezing her from the inside out. Marit, meanwhile, has splurged and used her magic to sew a dance costume for her beloved orphanage companion in hopes of having Eve spotted for adoption. Having succeeded in this endeavor, Marit manages to tag along as the seamstress for a very prestigious house, only to find the entire staff to be magically gifted as well. Each servant has a different magically-enhanced skill, from amazing chef to master gardener. Mystery grows as Marit sets out to learn more about her father's death and whether it was really an accident. Murphy's world-building is extraordinary. Readers will delight in exploring the intricate passageways and elaborate furnishings of the mansion. Reminiscent of Robin McKinley, who could easily expand a simple fairy tale to novel length, Murphy's attention to detail is delicious. There is a hint of romance, but it is extremely tame. The writing is sophisticated, but the morality is perfect for middle school and, like all fairy tales, things wrap up neatly at the end. VERDICT A great fantasy for middle school readers who need an age-appropriate challenge that won't burn their eyes.-Leah Krippner, Harlem H.S., Machesney Park, IL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 27, 2020
In Bain’s (The Disappearances) version of 19th-century Denmark, some citizens have magic that amplifies a single talent, enabling excellence beyond ordinary reach. But this power is dangerous: overdo it and die when the eerie Firn turns blood to ice. Reluctant magic practitioner Marit Olsen, 16, uses her gifts as a seamstress to help her protegee and fellow orphan Eve, an aspiring dancer, attract Helene Vestergaard, one of the country’s most celebrated ballerinas. When Helene adopts Eve, Marit flees her grim apprenticeship and joins the Vestergaard household as a servant. Though wary of working for the owners of the mines where her father died, Marit discovers a mostly welcoming community in Helene’s grand home north of Copenhagen, with fellow servants who practice magic proudly and openly. Assisted by her new roommate and a love interest who’s sweet but unsurprising to readers, Marit explores the convoluted fates of her father and sister, and how they relate both to the Vandergaards and the future of Denmark itself. Though a murky mystery burdens this novel’s second half, the refreshing setting and intriguing setup imbue a buoyant charm. Ages 12–up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park & Fine Literary and Media.