Fog Season is the second in the Tales of Port Saint Frey series.  The first book was a fun fantasy of manners that didn’t take itself too seriously and brought to readers two sisters who have a bit of mettle about them not to mention brains and magic.

Please be aware that if you haven’t read the first book then there may be spoilers below.

In book one we were introduced to the Mederos family.  Formerly a family of merchants of good standing within Port Saint Frey their fortune and good name were brought low after a shipping disaster that they were deemed responsible for.  In book two we pick up fairly soon after the sisters uncovered the culprits who were responsible for their families misfortune and although their fortunes have since been restored there are still troubles aplenty and danger for the sisters.

As the story begins we’re introduced to a happy family scene, the girls are waving farewell to their parents who are setting forth on a voyage to discover what happened to their ships.  Of course, this leaves the girls happily in charge of the household and their own actions.  The staff are still very much diminished consisting of a formidable cook, a reliable butler (dare I say handsome and sometimes slightly dishevelled) and a sneaky housemaid, plus the rambunctious uncle.  We’re also introduced to a detective, hired by the other merchant houses to try and uncover what took place during the Great Fraud.  This man himself seems to have hidden talents and also a hidden agenda.  On top of this the regular constabulary are still investigating the actions and whereabouts of the Gentleman Bandit and it seems that there are at least two other interested parties in discovering more about Tesara’s magical abilities.

As with book one the story here revolves around the two sisters, Tesara and Yvienne.  Tesara is the younger sister and the one who is capable of magic.  Unfortunately her magical abilities garner the attention of some very unsavoury types who would use her for their own nefarious schemes (all whilst twirling their waxed moustaches of course).  Yvienne is renowned for her intellect and intelligence and is the sister who was primarily responsible for uncovering the schemes against her family.  I was really impressed in this instalment by the way in which the two seemed to share a much greater bond.  In the first book I didn’t really feel any strong family ties but I felt that came across a lot better in this instalment and there was no shortage of risk and danger for both of them to worry about as their previous actions came home to dwell.

I enjoyed Fog Season.  There was plenty of derring-do and ne’er do wells, a suggestion of romance and a lot of scheming.  If anything, it felt like there was almost too much action and too’ing and fro’ing but that’s not really a criticism.  More that I did, at points, feel like things were going round in circles.  I like the setting and the period feel but at the same time enjoy the sense of freedom that the author has managed to give the girls and I don’t mean just by their parents being absent.  Neither of them seem to be too encumbered by the rigid formalities of the period that seem to restrict others so much and I think that’s as a result not only of their families misfortunes but also the fact that they spent many years in a harsh boarding school where they were expected to clean as well as learn and this has almost given them a foot in both camps if you will.

In terms of criticisms the only thing I found lacking was any more information about Tesara’s magical abilities.  She seemed, as the book started, to have gained a bit better hold over her own powers, although they start to become out of control as the book proceeds, but there seems to be very little knowledge about why she is gifted or what the extent of her ability is.  I also think that Tesara is her own worst enemy sometimes – although I had to keep in mind that she is the younger sister.  Both sisters have, by their actions in the first book, caused suspicion but whereas Yvienne seems to think on her feet to try and lessen the impact it feels like Tesara is just too impetuous and it feels like her actions usually end up causing a lot of bother.  Still, in fairness, there would have been a good deal less action without Tesara charging about the place recklessly.

This is a fun series with a light feel and a period setting that fits well in between chunky reads to give a welcome change of pace.  I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.