Emily B. MartinReseñas

[disclosure: I was in college marching band with Emily during undergrad, so like, I know her!]

Gorgeously illustrated and based on sound ecology for aquatic habitats, A Field Guide to Mermaids should ignite the curiosity of children and adults alike. While aimed at a middle grade audience, A Field Guide acts as a general overview and introduction to thinking about habitats: what does something need to live in an environment? Are there specialist functions needed to thrive?

I really like how there's an assortment of mermaids for each habitat, from tiny nudibranch merfolk in tide pools to mysterious giant squid cryptids in the abyssal depths!

As a kid who constantly looked for evidence of lake monsters after reading [b:The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep|98779|The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep|Loren Coleman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347743356l/98779._SY75_.jpg|95224], this reminds me of a fantastical way to learn and think about the natural world.

Reread thoughts: Still just as exhilarating, and now I can go directly to [b:Floodpath: A Novel|54110078|Floodpath A Novel|Emily B. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610435829l/54110078._SY75_.jpg|84457409] now that it is out!!!


Original review:
First thing to mention if you haven't read any of Emily's works before: she is also an accomplished artist and draws concept art/style sheets for her characters- you can see this art on her instagram here!

Sunshield is the first of a duology in the Woodwalker world, set 20 years after the trilogy. Moving westward on the continent and in genre, three first-person viewpoints are deftly woven into a compelling narrative that pulls no punches about how geopolitical actions affect the common folk with minor but just as important mentions of how modernity changes our ecology in ways that can harm us. A couple characters menstruate and the issue of it happening while roughing it is described- something you don't see often in books, but unsurprising for a series that takes so much from Martin's park ranger/scout camper background. Sunshield is also fun: Lark's horse and dog are very much parts of her found family, Veran figuring out how to clomp around in Moquoian heels is a great visual, etc.

Lark is a former captive turned outlaw, raiding stagecoaches and targeting slave wagons bound for Moquoia in the far Alcoran desert. Her biggest priority is fiercely defending her found family and figuring out how to eventually get them to their homes. Thinking about it, Lark's empathy and passion for ridding Moquoia of slavers is the kind of thing I was missing from Throne of Glass's Aelin, who has a similar backstory to Lark but then gets distracted by finer things of privileged society (and magical geopolitics too, I guess). She's a very capable heroine and when presented with opportunities to change things with movers and shakers of the world, she points out that serving the wealthy for a single job feels like a betrayal to everything she's fought for so far.

Tamsin is a mysterious captive, in a lot of pain (particularly in the headspace) but witty and also our introduction into how Moquoian bond labor functions. Definitely want to hear more from her.

Veran, sweet baby boy is out in the world on his first big international diplomatic mission as translator and totally sticking his foot into it. Literally related to Woodwalker folk, his viewpoints are the connections to characters from the previous trilogy (though you don't necessarily need to read it to read Sunshield- if you start here, consider them a bonus trilogy about people's parents). He's a contrast to his mother in several ways (with her voice echoing in his head occasionally), but a soft sweetie and just wants to do good in the world. I have faith in him.

The worldbuilding is as strong as it was in previous books- Moquoia and the Ferrino Desert have distinct feels to them, and with enough geographic distance Moquoia stands culturally distinct from the Eastern Countries (which do have their differences but share a language, conveniently enough). Big trees were referenced a lot but we didn't actually see them so hopefully they show up in the second half of the duology?? The eastern countries are heavily influenced by natural landscapes of the American Southeast, so I am eager to see how Martin illustrates her fantastical West.

also hot damn, the last 40 pages have a lot going on.

Miscellaneous thoughts:
-Hey Lark if you wanted to make your camp permanent you should've stolen Prof. Colm's permaculture books in chapter 1 JUST SAYIN'.

-When I started the book, I wondered where or who Moira Alastaire would be- clearly not Tamsin as she remembers her scribe parents, and Lila seemed somewhat obvious but maybe too obvious in a red herring way (and Emily's style sheet for Lark's crew made that impossible- Moira is described as being similar in coloration to Eloise, and they don't look similar in art). Definitely going to have to go back and compare the Lark portraits to Moira now.

-WHO IS VEGA PALTO and also is this an anagram??

-I can't decide if Obvious Political Villain really is our court bad guy or if there's someone else around... and knowing Emily's previous work, there's likely a twist I haven't intuited yet but will make sense in hindsight/on rereads.

Anxiously awaiting the second Outlaw Road book.

Oops, accidentally stayed up too late to inhale the rest of this, which is always a sign of a good book!

My darlings found themselves imperiled at the end of [b:Sunshield|52219046|Sunshield (Outlaw Road, #1)|Emily B. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573869338l/52219046._SY75_.jpg|73010489], having a lot of complicated Feelings with the party split and pursued by various authorities. They have adventures, experience dehydration, and tackle reforming a country's labor system (or at least, starting the process) and it ties up quite satisfyingly.

The one thing the Outlaw Road duology handles well is characters' (yes, multiple) disabilities and the frustrations and triumphs that come with figuring out how to navigate the world with them. Also, the complicated feelings when meeting long-lost or distant family as an adult and whether or not they'll accept you as family (I'm guessing it wasn't intentional, but I can see this having resonance for adoptees).

Plenty of red herrings for the Big Bad; I had maybe half a guess after team did their plan at Giantess but maybe people more perceptive than I can figure it out earlier.

Also, was quite pleased to see our old friends from the Woodwalker trilogy at the end, still recognizable with the maturity of age on them.

I'm curious as to how GR displays reviews of different editions... guess I'll find out!

For some reason, I... completely forgot the timing of the third act twist and once again missed what I should've been looking for in my reread of [b:Ashes to Fire|30166223|Ashes to Fire (Woodwalker, #2)|Emily B. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474978369l/30166223._SY75_.jpg|50605667] lol; I'll thumb through that again later today... but because it's fresh thanks to reread, there's bits that are like, "Oh, right. That's what the concern was over."

Gemma remains my fave, a scholar through and through. Primary sources are important, y'all, and using multiple sources to verify is good!!!

original review (as seen here)
The point of view protagonist in the third and final installment of Emily B. Martin's Woodwalker series is a scientist, and I couldn't love her more. After the actions at the end of Ashes to Fire, Queen Gemma finds herself arrested by her own people. A familiar stranger breaks her out, and a tantalizing discovery could change the religion and politics of Alcoro forever.

I honestly thought the first arc would be the overarching book so as our characters approached McGuffin 1, I looked at my page progress and thought, "That can't be, we're only a third of the way here... what's going on". Geopolitics! With a third act twist [again?] that made sense in hindsight but ALSO didn't go the way I thought it might? As far as series viewpoint characters, each of the women are strongly influenced by their background- Mae by her, uh, woodwalker skills, Mona by being a politician at birth, and Gemma- always a scholar, never stops being a scholar. The importance of primary sources drives the plot.

Also- in previous art, Gemma was always holding her arm. I figured this was maybe a magical disfigurement or something, but it's more important and mundane than that- a winestain, covered up because of the perfection demanded of Alcoran rulers. Gemmaaaa I just want you to live a quiet life drawing insectssss

The point of view protagonist in the third and final installment of Emily B. Martin's Woodwalker series is a scientist, and I couldn't love her more. After the actions at the end of [b:Ashes to Fire|30166223|Ashes to Fire (Woodwalker, #2)|Emily B. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474978369s/30166223.jpg|50605667], Queen Gemma finds herself arrested by her own people. A familiar stranger breaks her out, and a tantalizing discovery could change the religion and politics of Alcoro forever.

I honestly thought the first arc would be the overarching book so as our characters approached McGuffin 1, I looked at my page progress and thought, "That can't be, we're only a third of the way here... what's going on". Geopolitics! With a third act twist [again?] that made sense in hindsight but ALSO didn't go the way I thought it might? As far as series viewpoint characters, each of the women are strongly influenced by their background- Mae by her, uh, woodwalker skills, Mona by being a politician at birth, and Gemma- always a scholar, never stops being a scholar. The importance of primary sources drives the plot.

Also- in previous art, Gemma was always holding her arm. I figured this was maybe a magical disfigurement or something, but it's more important and mundane than that- a winestain, covered up because of the perfection demanded of Alcoran rulers. Gemmaaaa I just want you to live a quiet life drawing insectssss

I didn't get much farther than the team being assembled and supplies purchased. Already the societies/cultures seem too simplistic (like they all have one item/skill that defines them) and there have already been far too many exposition heavy conversations for me. If I was super into the scenario of long adventure walks I'd probably stick with it but I'm just not.

I don't have a review for this book. Re: my cozy rating... Most of the book is the protagonist guiding some folks through the woods as they learn about each other; toward the end, things get more stressful to the point it no longer felt cozy to me.

I received an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

A Field Guide to Mermaids is an intelligent, gorgeous book, one that will be beloved by the intended middle grade audience but also dazzle adults. It sure dazzled me. Martin has worked for years as a park ranger, and her breadth of knowledge on ecology and biology added insight to her previous novels for adults; here, in this fantasy book written as a nonfiction field guide to mermaids as found on contemporary Earth, her expertise and incredible artistic skill are in the forefront.

The subject is regarded with absolute seriousness. Mermaids are discussed in terms of the types of tails they have and why these features would matter in their environment, what nearby creatures they resemble and work with in symbiosis, and how they have changed due to industrialization and pollution. The book is divided by the types of water bodies in which mermaids may be found. Every page is lavishly illustrated. The variety of perspectives and the rainbow of colors are a delight to the eyes. In all truth, most every page here would be a joy to have framed on a wall.

The book also delights the mind. Martin whips out advanced terminology in ecology and trusts that kids will get it--and they will. Martin's mermaids are based on the sound science of existing creatures. I learned some handy new words for defining different characteristics, and I imagine most people will finish this book feeling the same.

If you can read through the end of this book without tearing up, you're made of stronger stuff than I. Floodpath wraps up a fantastic story about characters you can't help but love. This is the second book in a stand-alone duology, but I HIGHLY recommend that people start with the Woodwalker trilogy because it's fantastic and sets up the world and describes what happened to the parents of the main characters in the Outlaw Road books.

For me, that background knowledge is what made the end of this book so emotional. I loved those initial characters, and as the Outlaw Road duology begins, they have suffered mightily: a daughter--a princess--was kidnapped as a young child, and was sold into slavery in another country. Now that girl is grown up, remembers nothing of that past, but is embodied by the grit and determination that carried her parents through their own adventures: she escaped bondage and is now an outlaw, committed to freeing others. She's the Sunshield Bandit, hated by nobles who profit by the illicit trade, and loved by commoners. She's not the only awesome character here, either--I love Veran, who endures terrible hardship that is complicated by his seizure disorder, and Tamsin, who barely survived the first book and is trying to find her voice again, literally and figuratively. The three of them have come together because of the twisted machinations of court, and now need to survive the harsh wilderness and the people who seek to kill them.

The author is a park ranger, and her worldbuilding is extraordinary. She makes the natural world real because she gets the environment on a deep level and knows the genuine survive skills that her characters must also tap.

I could go on and on, but read these books. All five of them, ideally. Then try to get through the end of this one without happy tears.

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Emily B. Martin brought a fresh, vibrant new fantasy world to life in her Woodwalker trilogy. Now, she digs deeper into her setting with Sunshield, the start of a new series that does not require having read the previous books (though I highly recommend you do!).

This book is that rare entity of the genre: a fantasy western, full of the realistic details that Martin (an experienced park ranger) laces into all of her books. Lark is the titular Sunshield, a bandit committed to raiding the rich and freeing those who were slaved as she was. Then there is Veran, a young man acting as a translator and ambassador in Moquoia, a country that profits from slavery. Veran is committed to stopping the slave trade, but his clumsy efforts at court are undermined by nasty politics that he only gradually comprehends. Then there is Tamsin, a woman of Moquoia who is being held captive in horrendous conditions. The stories and lives of these three people twine together in a narrative that is tense, and at the end, emotional.

The book examines the nature of privilege and slavery in a way that is never preachy, though it can be disturbing at times--as well it should be. There is a lot of depth to this story. A romantic element is gentle and in the early stages in this volume.

The cliffhanger ending makes me incredibly eager to get my hands on the next book. Oh, there are so many feels at the end. I loved getting the chance to revisit this world, and I sincerely hope there are a lot more books to come.

Creatures of Light wraps up the delightfully cozy Woodwalker trilogy. This book follows the point of view of the queen of the "bad guys," Gemma, as she confronts the nature of her country's deeds, her marriage, and her future, all against a backdrop of rebellions and court politics. I won't delve into details, as I don't want to spoil anything, but Martin has created a satisfying conclusion for the trilogy. As always, I love the natural details that are integral to this original world--Martin's work as a park ranger really brings the setting to life.

I'm excited to start reading Sunshield next, the brand-new book set in this same world.

I love it when a series is so good, so cozy, that you can slip into the next book without a problem, even when the previous book was read years before. That was my experience with Ashes to Fire. I read Woodwalker over three years ago, and have read a lot of books in the meanwhile. Even so, I wasn't lost at all as I began to read book 2.

I enjoyed the switch to Queen Mona's POV as she attempts to negotiate trade--and peace--with the nasty King Celeno. Those talks go awry. Mona is kidnapped by other rebels, desperate to be free of Celeno. The bayou setting is detailed and realistic, and is an environment not often seen in fantasy. I won't give away any spoilers, but the politics are juicy and complicated, and the plot is packed with twists and turns that are greatly brightened by a romantic element. I'm glad I already have the next book so I can start it very soon--then read the new brand new book Sunshield, out in a few weeks!

Queen Gemma of Alcoro is sitting in prison a the start of this book--a prison for the high-born, discreetly known as The Retreat, but a prison nonetheless. This trilogy has been a story of a clash of cultures and kingdoms, and Gemma's choices in the midst of larger conflicts in the previous books have branded her a traitor. She's awaiting trial and sentencing. There's no chance of changing the verdict, she's concluded, but she hopes she can at least make her case to her husband, King Celeno, and a few councilors, that peace, not war with their neighbors, will be better for Alcoro. She's convinced that the Prophecy Alcoro uses to guide its policies is being used badly.

And then a stranger works her way into The Retreat, and smuggles Gemma out.

Except the woman isn't a stranger, not really, and she has stunning information that might be a means to change Alcoro's course, and prevent war. If she can make first Celeno, and then their neighbors, to accept what they've found and move in a new direction.

There are, of course, a lot more opportunities for Gemma to get killed than to succeed, and she's about to discover just how much treachery and deceit there is in Alcoro.

This is a book that just hooked me immediately. It's a fantasy world where the countries and the cultures make sense given their circumstances, and stated and implied history. The characters have complex, interesting identities and relationships.

Oh, and Gemma is a biologist, and Celeno is an astronomer, both a bit frustrated at having had to abandon their research when the old king, Celeno's father, died. Another character is attempting to invent cultural history as an academic discipline. Geologists play an important off-stage role.

People do research, sufficiently documented facts can overturn past orthodoxy, and I am in love.

Seriously. Read this books and its predecessors.

Highly recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss.

I found this story a lot of fun, and an easy read. The author clearly knows a lot about forestry and ecology, and cares about it. Martin also onstructed a plotline that succeeded in keeping some important items "hidden in plain sight" until the final resolution - I was sometimes irritated, however, by the number of times this was accomplished through nothing more than bad attitudes on the part of one character or another. it felt artificial at some points, and somewhat contrived. I was also hoping for a more holistic approach to descriptions of the economies of the different ethnic groups, which struck me as simplistic. Since I'm an anthropologist, this might not matter as much to other readers. I see a lot of real talent at work here, however, and hope for improvement in that department. Economies, like ecologies, are actually stabilized by increasing complexity, and that can offer lots more plotting opportunities. I think the author is likely to develop a savory richness on these fronts in future works, and I look forward to that.

Disclaimer: the author was my drum major in college marching band.

Ashes to Fire is sequel to Woodwalker, except this time we're inside Queen Mona's head (if the cover image didn't indicate that already). In many ways, she reminds me of one of the ways [author:Robert Jordan|6252] described one of his Aes Sedai characters: silk hiding steel (which I guess is its own trope, but tWoT named it). She is driven and stubborn, but it's for a reason: always thinking of the greater good for Lumen Lake.

My minor criticism in Woodwalker re: what Mae thought of Mona's agnosticism/atheism goes away once Mona becomes our main character. She has legitimate criticisms of the Light (especially when it's given Alcorn a reason to invade two neighboring countries with likely more planned). Interpretation and importance of what Light is comes up occasionally with other characters, and it will be interesting to see what happens when we sit in Book 3 protagonist's head.


[had to pull out the Swamp Rabbit pint for the brothers Roubideaux]

As for the new setting and new characters, I absolutely loved them. Rou charms everyone he comes into contact with (except maybe a minor prologue character who gets a fish to the face), Lyle is a puzzle box, and Gemma- I have questions. Lots of them. That won't be answered until Creatures of Light.

I am still really upset by Lyle's death. :( He and Gemma were science bros and he just wanted to studyyyyyyy ;-;

The last 100 pages go by REALLY fast.

Finally got around to this. Note: The author was my drum major in college marching band; however, I purchased and am reviewing this on my own.

Woodwalker is technically fantasy, though no supernatural elements seem to be present other than a strong connection to the natural world (though by being not-Earth, high fantasy seems appropriate?). Unlike most fantasy, this isn't the Hero's Journey narrative given Mae, our capable heroine, isn't out to discover herself or be the chosen one. Instead, she goes on an escort mission taking three deposed royals back to their inland home. The journey from point A to point B is a standard trope for fantasy (reminder: tropes are not bad), but enhanced here by being inspired by our national parks (the Silverwoods are the Great Smoky Mountains). Based on hints, I'm guessing the Alcoro come from an equivalent to our southwest? Definitely looking forward to future worldbuilding.

I also did not see the twist coming. I figured given the Prologue that Valien would be hunting our wayward royals and planning to take over the Lumen throne, but in hindsight I guess it makes sense given we were missing a messenger character and a named Mae!Beau character.

One [admittedly minor] point that I'm still thinking over is the treatment of Mona's agnosticism- at first she expresses frustration when characters show devotion to the Light (justifiably so given that her country was invaded to forcefully fulfill a prophecy), but later says she's not sure what to believe. Mae feels sad at this, and while I understand she's our narrator in a first-person story, I'm not sure whether to interpret that as being sad for Mona's questioning or for her feeling unsure. I'm guessing the latter, but when I first read that passage it bothered me. To our heroine's credit, she does tell Mona that the only one who can tell Mona what to believe is herself.

Mona Alastaire, queen of Lumen Lake, has only recently wrestled her kingdom back from King Celeno, Seventh King of Alcoro and neighboring despot, when she receives a dispatch. Celeno would like to parlay with her in Cyprien, an adjacent kingdom conquered by Alcoro decades ago. Against her gut instinct, Mona travels to Cyprien to negotiate - because the possibility of peace for her kingdom is worth the risk. Negotiations are going poorly when Mona's boat is attacked - but not by Alcoro. It turns out that occupied Cyprien is not as docile as Celeno thinks they are. Mona and Queen Gemma, Celeno's wife, are kidnapped by Rou and Lyle Roubideaux, representatives of the Cypri resistance government, to use as leverage for their country's freedom. Mona is relieved to have Cypri folk on her side, and befriends the men as they travel through the swamps toward the capitol. But dealing with Gemma and suing for peace will take every diplomatic bone in Mona's body, because Celeno is not a reasonable man.

While Woodwalker was a good book, this sequel is phenomenal. The countries and cultures are exquisitely well-thought out, from clothing to recreation to government. No character is perfect, they all argue with each other and make mistakes but learn from them. The political intrigue and diplomacy are neither overly-simplified nor confusing. Despite the fact that it's a fairly introspective book, and on the long side, once I got started I couldn't stop turning the pages. I loved learning more about Mona's and the Roubideaux's cultures. I loved the shift in point-of-view from Mae (in the previous book) to Mona, and I can't wait for the next book which I think is going to be about Gemma.

The author illustrated the cover herself, and you can find lots more illustrations to go along with the book on her website.

What a lovely, breezy, and surprising book! Woodwalker takes many epic fantasy tropes, like displaced royalty and dangerous quests, and twists them into something new and fun. I like to think I'm good at predicting the ends of books, but this one surprised me, and in a good way. I look forward to reading the next in the series!