I read and loved Louise Cusack’s fantasy trilogy, Shadow through Time, 4 years ago (wow, felt like I just read them the other day!) and since then, Louise has kept me updated with her works. I love it when I get emails from her! Sometimes, it’s just so hard to keep up with things as there are a million and one things happening. Louise’s current project is a fantasy series of which book 1, Silk, is up for nomination on Kindle Scout. I’ve never heard of Kindle Scout previously but I’ve happily signed up and nominated Louise’s book without even reading it. But… she has also generously provided me a with a copy of the manuscript [screams: I love you, Louise!] and I’ll share my thoughts with you all now.
Silk (Florentia: Book1) by Louise Cusack
In a lost world that da Vinci discovered and his patrons conquered, ruthless Medici kings have ruled for 500 years, amassing a huge empire. Silk, a young, idealistic diplomat, is forced to wed a brutal Medici prince to save her starving people. But when a handsome archaeological engineer from our world enters hers, she must choose between the heartless prince who can save her people, and the gentle inventor who has the knowledge to destroy them all.
Doesn’t the cover just look absolutely divine?!! Yep, I’m a cover slut but the description also sounds luscious! Whilst I’m not at all keen with love triangles, I was willing to gamble with this read and I really wasn’t disappointed. I really loved this spin of the Florentian world! Or is it really Florentian?! Silk is a mash-up of historical fantasy with alternate worlds and a dash of cyberpunk (well, it’s not actually cyberpunk but there’s advanced technology whilst the novel reads more like historical fantasy). It’s a rich-textured world with very interestingly conflicted characters. There were a couple of things which I did not particularly care for but there were only a couple of small things so I would dearly love to see this book selected for publication. Plus, I’d love to know what happens next and if I know Louise, I know it’s going to take me totally by surprise (and this doeth not often happen!).
Tien's Blurb 