MONSTER BLOOD TATTOO - BOOK TWO: LAMPLIGHTER
D. M. Cornish
Putnam Juvenile
Fantasy
ISBN: 9780399246395
736 pages

Two months have passed since Rossamund Bookchild began his apprenticeship as a lamplighter at Winstermill. Although a worthy occupation, training as a lighter is proving to be frustrating for the young foundling. First, being a week late (due to an adventure that could have been straight from one of his favorite pamphlets) earned Rossamund the disparaging nickname of “Master Come-lately” from the Lamplighter-Sergeant Grindrod. Then, because of his small stature, Rossamund can barely accomplish the task of lighting a lantern. Making and administering potives seems to be the only skill he’s good at, but even that hasn’t earned him much respect from his sergeants and peers.

One evening, Rossamund’s regiment becomes involved in a monster attack when they rescue a group of calendars who were forced to travel at night after being turned away at another cothouse. Mysterious and often dressed in bizarre outfits, calendars are “a society of women --- lahzars, skolds, pistoleers, and the rest --- set to doing good, protecting the weak and pursuing other noble causes.” Rossamund is given the task of acting as liaison between the calendars and lamplighters who have long had an uneasy alliance. He is especially baffled by Threnody --- the inexperienced wit who nearly caused a catastrophe during the battle --- a rather haughty and formidable girl who, the young lighter discovers, is also unhappy with her own chosen profession.

The next day, news spreads of the battle and, for the apprentices involved in the killing of the fearsome monsters, of the impending acquirement of their first cruorpunxis, or monster blood tattoos. For Rossamund, a monster blood tattoo is not a sign of heroism but often of confusion. He could care less about having one, but to voice his opinion carries the risk of being branded a sedorner, or “monster lover” --- an accusation punishable by death. Also, there is the rather surprising development that Threnody --- a girl and a calendar no less --- has been granted permission to train as a lamplighter. Threnody joins Rossamund’s regiment, and the two prentice-lighters form a strange comradeship.

Meanwhile, Rossamund meets Numps, a retired seltzerman who survived a deadly theroscade years ago, but remains a tragic figure of his former self. Rossamund is a little unnerved at first by the invalid, but is more concerned by the treatment from other staff within the manse. Fortunately for Numps’s allies --- and later Rossamund himself --- the leer Sebastipole and the physician Dr. Crispus are there to offer a kind word and assistance whenever they can.

Rossamund is also reunited with Miss Europe, the Branden Rose, who makes him another job offer. However, Rossamund still feels that he must keep his oath that he made when he accepted the Emperor’s Billion regardless of any worry he may have.

Tensions grow within the manse as news arrives of increasingly frequent monster attacks throughout the Empire. In addition, the displeasure and sway of Winstermill’s bureaucracy is becoming more evident. Then, Rossamund’s worst fears come true and the lamplighter’s future is once again in limbo. As the young foundling realizes, the line between good and evil isn’t always clear.

While reading to find out the fate of Rossamund and his comrades, I was surprised at how heavy this book is in both the figurative and literal sense. Over seven-hundred pages long, it wouldn’t be that clichéd to refer to this as a “monster book.” Although a bit too lengthy, the main problem that I felt hindered an enjoyable reading experience was that there were numerous phrases in the Explicarium that weren’t even briefly defined throughout the story. As a result, I found myself having to cross-reference the Explicarium (as well as that of FOUNDLING) several times before I even made it halfway through the novel. However, despite this issue, I still found the book to be quite interesting.

With much mystery, heart-thrilling action, and an eccentric cast of new and old characters, LAMPLIGHTER is the second installment of a fantastical trilogy that will continue to surprise readers.

    --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

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