Foundling by D.M. Cornish

Contrary to its daunting size, Foundling is a fun story about a boy with a girl’s name. Rossamund is a Bookchild, meaning he was raised as an orphan, and the only record of his existence is recorded in the book of names at the orphanage. Rossamund is an older child at the orphanage, as he has not yet been chosen to go out into the world and work for whoever chooses him. When he is finally called upon, he is a little downhearted to hear that he is to be a lamplighter. A lamplighter, as the name implies, lights the lamps that run down either side of the busy streets to keep monsters at bay. Rossamund does not think this is a very exciting occupation, and he certainly doesn’t expect the getting there to be the real adventure.

The beautifully detailed maps, the rich characterization, and the sheer complexity of the world Mr. Cornish has created show that he has put much time, eff... Read More