Floodpath: A Novel Emily B. Martin
The epic fantasy adventure begun in Sunshield races to its thrilling conclusion in this imaginative finale in which the fate of four extraordinary young people-and their nations-will be decided.
When their hopes for ending Moquoia’s brutal system of bondage are crushed, unlikely allies Lark and Veran are forced to flee into the harsh desert. With no weapons or horses, they must make their way to safety across the 50-mile expanse of waterless plains known as the water scrape. It is an odyssey filled with unexpected dangers that challenge even a skilled outlaw like Lark-though the farther they travel, the more she wonders if she even fits the fearsome title of the Sunshield Bandit anymore.
Injured in the coup to overthrow the Moquoian monarchy, Tamsin, accompanied by Iano, retreat to a safe house, where they await the return of Lark and Veran. Determined to uncover the traitor in the court, they devise a plan to confront the new palace ashoki, Kimela.
Imperiled by wilderness and their own tenuous alliances, Lark, Tamsin, and Veran each face massive risks to uncover the truth. But even if they find it, will their combined forces be strong enough to stop the evil infecting their beautiful land . . . and transform it into a fairer society for all?
Back in 2020 I read the Woodwalker trilogy and Sunshield by Emily B. Martin. I had wanted to finish the Outlaw Road duology but I didn't want to buy the hardcover and it wasn't available at my library.
Fast forward to 2024 and I saw it available on a 2 for 1 Audible sale. I jumped at the chance to finish this series. I had to read some of my notes to refresh my memory. Also, as I listened the events, plot points, political stances, and character relationships came back to me. Floodpath does a good job recapping the events of Sunshield and does not weigh down the story.
Non-spoiler review: I really loved how the characters developed on their own and in relation to each other. There was some suspense and action. Mistakes were made and lessons learned. The blackmail mystery was solved and everything was wrapped up well. Overall it was a satisfactory conclusion.
I also enjoyed the narrators' performances. Each one fit the personality of their character and I found it easy to follow the dialogue.
Spoiler review: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Tamsin - I loved her journey to find her voice after her tongue was cut. From her frustrations to having limited means to communicate to finding new ways expresses her ideas.
I empathized with her when she was arguing with Prince Iano and became frustrated with her inability to write down everything she wanted to say. The state of their relationship was a bit heartbreaking. After Tamsin was kidnapped in the previous book he chose her over policy and she wanted him to sacrifice her.
Also, their love affair was a secret so was it really love or just the thrill of it? They have issues to work through.
It was exciting and uplifting when she befriended Lark and they invented the printing press and Lark taught her some words in sign language. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts.
I loved when she went to the town to spread the pamphlets about emancipation. I bookmarked these quotes about that:
"I've given them my words. Now let's see what they do with them."
"You didn't take my voice." I confirm. "You just spread it around."
Lark - Her transformation was an emotional one: From the Sunshield Bandit to wanting to leave that behind and find a new purpose.
Throughout both books she's been a fighter. She kicked butt in the palace when she escaped her jail cell. It was satisfying and a bit comical when she tied up that slave trader, Minister Kobok.
Lark's reunion with her parents, Queen Mona and Rou, and sister, Eloise, was so beautiful and emotional. I cried and I loved how their new dynamics were left off. I want to say more but I don't know how to put the feelings into words. Their reunion was one of my favorite parts.
It was obvious that Lark and Veran were meant to end up together. I don't know if I ship them, but I didn't hate them together either.
Veran - Lark was right that he does have a hero complex, and it's because he's trying so hard to fill his mom's shoes. He's also more book smart than street smart. A few times I found myself facepalming at his mistakes. When he messed up the bird call at the ambush, that was not totally his fault. I mean, it was mostly his fault, but not 100%. I think the seizures messed his brain up and some of the roles should have been switched around.
Veran also made silly mistakes when talking too loud in the marketplace, and drinking the poisoned tea. Trust no one! Don't drink or eat anything!
Going back to the seizures: I loved Lark's dog, Rat, when he warned them all when a seizure was coming. It's amazing that dogs can sense that.
The scene when Veran and his mom Queen Mae talk at the end was one of my favorites. I loved her wise words that he couldn't train to be a woodwalker when he was ten because he was having too many seizures, but now he's the one holding himself back.
I also loved when Mae said this to him: "Don't conflate mistakes with failure. Folk don't tell legends about people who made no mistakes. Folk tell legends about the people who overcame them."
Returning to this realm was just as enjoyable, emotional, and adventurous as I remembered it. It's an underrated series and I wish it got more attention from fantasy readers. I'm going to keep it in mind when anyone asks me for a recommendations.
4 out of 5 Printing Presses.