The Glasswrights' Progress by Mindy L. Klasky

Released: July 2001

The Glasswrights' Progress is the 2nd book in the Glasswrights' Guild series by Mindy Klasky. This series is fantastic! I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the fantasy genre, but this series is truly original.

The Glasswrights' Progress picks up two years after the glasswrights' apprentice Rani Trader moves into the royal palace in the kingdom of Morenia. Feeling happy and secure for the first time in a long while, 15-year-old Rani plans to rebuild the glasswrights' guild, which had dissolved after the previous heir to the throne was assassinated by a secret brotherhood. However, Rani's dreams are put on hold when she is kidnapped by King Hal's younger brother Bashi and taken to another land under the reign of the very sick, twisted, and demented King Sin-Hazar.

As a prisoner under King Sin-Hazar's watch, Rani realizes the king is training a large army comprised of very young children to overthrow Morenia. Rani then devises her own plot to convince the army of children that they should not risk their lives to please such an utterly evil and unforgiving king, and that a far more peaceful way of living is within reach. 

Just as I had hoped, The Glasswrights' Progress is a far cry from its predecessor in that the story is far more intense, mature, and horrifying. The first book in this series is told completely from Rani's point of view, while this novel is narrated by four different characters including Rani, King Hal, King Sin-Hazar, and Shea—an older woman who has raised and watched over many of the army children.

The Glasswrights' Progress starts a little slow but soon becomes fast-paced and action-packed after some of the children become subject to violence. A major plus to reading this novel is that the language of the "Touched" is nearly non-existent, which makes for a headache-free reading experience. The broken speech patterns of the Touched characters was difficult to read and a major gripe about the first novel. Mair—the female Touched character who accompanies Rani—improves her language skills to reflect her high position in the kingdom; therefore, the "Touched" language is no longer present.

I loved The Glasswrights' Progress because Klasky writes it in a style completely different from its predecessor. I can't wait to read more about Rani's later teenage years and the impending romance bound to happen between her and some of the core male characters. Readers who enjoyed The Glasswrights' Apprentice should definitely keep moving forward with this series! It's well worth the time and journey.

Here are our other reviews for The Glasswrights' Apprentice and Girl's Guide to Witchcraft:

Dreamworld Book Reviews - The Glasswrights' Apprentice
Dreamworld Book Reviews - Girl's Guide to Witchcraft

Here are other novels written by Mindy L. Klasky, featured on Amazon.com:

Glasswrights' Guild series

1. The Glasswrights' Apprentice (2000)
2. The Glasswright's Progress (2001)
3. The Glasswrights' Journeyman (2002)
4. The Glasswrights' Test (2003)
5. The Glasswrights' Master (2004) 

Jane Madison series

1. Girl's Guide To Witchcraft (2006)
2. Sorcery and the Single Girl (2007)
3. Magic and the Modern Girl (2008)
4. Single Witch's Survival Guide (2013)
   

Have you read any books by Mindy L. Klasky? If so, please share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.