Book Review: The Trickster
The Trickster, Dorothy A. Winsor. Inspired Quill, March 27, 2021, Print and Kindle, 330 pages.
Reviewed by Barbara Belford.
Dorothy A. Winsor’s young adult fantasy, The Trickster, takes its name from one of the gods in the world in which the novel is set, and true to its namesake, the book spins a tale that keeps readers on their toes, with plot twists and complex main characters.
Dilly—an abandoned street girl—attempts to transform her rough ways to play the role of Lady Elenia’s court attendant. Her beloved dog, Tuc—a fierce and loyal companion—plays an integral part in the story. Fitch—the son of a well-known smuggler with a gift of mind control—seeks revenge for the poisoning of his sweetheart. When Dilly meets Fitch, they unite in foiling a plot to overthrow Elenia’s father, Suryan, the ruler of Lac’s Holding, but unwittingly jeopardize both their goals.
Fitch finds it difficult to hunt for the distributor of the poisonous mage flower and still be a credit to his father’s smuggling business as a trained healer. But when his estranged mother, who he hasn’t seen since he was three, appears and offers him the possibility of a new life where he will be free to be himself, he is tempted to leave Lac’s Holding and his quest to find out the truth about his sweetheart’s death.
Dilly was orphaned as a child when her mother got sick and died, after the man she and Dilly followed to Rin City deserted them. Now, Dilly swears her allegiance to Lady Elenia, trying to fulfill her need to belong. Her street ways prove invaluable when Elenia needs to travel among the commoners.
As if the stakes aren’t high enough, war is looming, and The Watch is bearing down on the townspeople.
The medieval setting with a touch of magic provides a great place for Dilly and Fitch to work out what it means to fit in and belong when family doesn’t provide the love they need. The important theme of loyalty runs through this third book in the series, beginning with the commitment of a dog, and explores whether loyalty to family is obligatory when family has betrayed their own blood. The element of trust—who it’s safe to trust, and learning to trust again after being betrayed—is closely tied to the need to be loved and valued throughout the book.
YA readers and adults who love YA fantasy will appreciate the world-building, especially the wonderful names of characters and places. The Trickster is a clean read, with the perfect balance of espionage and romance.
I’ve been told that good fiction always has a smoking gun and a ticking clock. The Trickster is full of both with action and suspense. It will keep you intrigued right up to the ending.