Review: The Amber Dame

The Amber Dame by Brendan Noble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading and loving The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble, I just knew I had to read its short prequel as soon as possible. The story in The Amber Dame takes place two years before and tells how Kasia Niezik got her title of Amber Dame and why "Amber must be bought with blood.".

In a once more darkly enchanting tale filled with intrigue and moral complexity, Kasia's journey is as much about the retrieval of her family's honour as it is about confronting her own demons, turning her life into a complicated tale full of sorrow. A mix of sadness and guilt makes her character even stronger, which will make her quest for revenge more fascinating.

Noble stitches tension skilfully as Kasia navigates the treacherous world of noble society. The plot picks up pretty fast, as this mission is not just about getting back power; it is a very clever game of trickery where being smart is as necessary as being strong. The setting is so detailed and engaging that it pulled me into a place where it was hard to tell who was friend or foe and every choice could lead to disaster.

One of the best aspects of The Amber Dame is how it explores themes such as loss, power, and the price of ambition. The story really dives deep into her head as she tries to work through experiences and choices that have brought her to this point. Character development is detailed, so even when she was making questionable decisions, I found myself rooting for Kasia again.

I liked how Noble showed her struggles honestly. However, I really felt that this prequel was a great opportunity to finally see more about her relationship with her very annoying and unlikeable brother, but we probably will be getting that in the next books.

Noble's writing is lyrical and approachable, with descriptions that paint a clear picture without slowing the pace—a marvellous reading experience that truly made me feel like I was inside Kasia's world.

All in all, The Amber Dame is a clever start to set the stage for the larger tale of The Realm Reachers. Brendan Noble has woven a tale both exciting and calming, featuring a strong female character showing the difficulties that come from wanting success and learning to deal with loss. Highly recommended for a quick story weaving magic, mystery, and the constant chase for revenge, though one might do well to start with The Crimson Court to get full enjoyment out of this novella.

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