The Star-Glass

Alana Trumpy is a graduate student in English at the University of
Toronto.

Duncan Thornton’s third fantasy novel is a charming and compelling
tale of adventure and camaraderie. It incorporates Aboriginal mythology
and, in the author’s words, marks “[a] return to the notion of a
secondary world inspired by the exploration of Canada and the North.”
The story finds three characters from Thornton’s previous
novels—Tom, Jenny, and Gimlet—sailing to the Vastlands (a land
portrayed largely in terms of Canadian winter) in search of a new land
for people trying to avoid the approaching threat of the “Long
Night.” After reaching the Vastlands, the trio and their crew meet the
Riverfolk, who travel with them to meet another nation, the Ealda, who
already live in the Vastlands.

Engaging characters, charming illustrations, and Thornton’s narrative
exuberance make The Star-Glass a joy to read. Highly recommended.