Seth MacGregor, a young, half-feral faery, contends with the unfamiliar and dangerous world of 16th-century Scotland in Firebrand, the gripping first installment of Gillian Philip's Rebel Angels series. Unwanted by his mother, Seth comes to live with his father's clann, where he is greeted with an indifference that serves to feed his anger and resentment. When his half-brother, Conal, takes an open interest in his well-being, however, Seth begins to grow in the estimation of the clann.
The Sithe (as the faeries are known) are separated from the world of full mortals by a magical barrier called the Veil; to be exiled to the other side of the Veil is considered a grave punishment. Through a twist of fate and intrigue, that is just what happens to Seth and Conal. Although they attempt to live peacefully in exile among mortals, life is perilous for two supernatural creatures who stick out like sore thumbs to 16th-century witch hunters.
Much of the detail in Philip's writing is concerned with the business of building the worlds of the Sithe and 16th-century Scotland, and she handles this deftly, with a riveting, well-balanced writing style. While the backdrop is painted vividly for the reader, the overall action and pace of the story are not compromised by description. All this, combined with three-dimensional characters and the complexity of their relationships, makes for a well-rounded, meaty reading experience. Philip's exciting new series promises an engaging story with cross-genre and multigenerational appeal. --Sarah Borders, librarian at Houston Public Library