The final book of the Golden City series, J. Kathleen Cheney finishes a perfect blend of historical fiction with believable fantasy elements in combining Portugal at the turn of the 20th century with myths about sirens, selkies, and other sea creatures. This book finds Oriana and her husband Dulio living among the sereina as diplomats in a sticky political situation.
What is interesting about the society is that the sereina society is one where men are the repressed sex. Cheney uses this societal aspect as a strong counterpoint to the gender roles in the first two books of her series, which take place in Portugal. The book focuses on Joaquim, Dulio’s brother, and Oriana’s sister Marina as their romance blossoms against a background of investigating sereina influence in Spain.
As usual, Cheney’s writing is full of imagery, strong and tight. The characters are well-painted and different, believable as multi-faceted human beings, rather than just token male and female characters. Gender is well explored in the book, as well as issues of class and parenthood.
It’s easy to be swept up in Cheney’s world. Her writing seems effortless, and her research is impeccable. I strongly encourage you to check out all 3 of the Golden City books.
