Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Roc
Publish Date: February 3, 2009
Undone is a spin-off of her popular Weather Warden series with a new perspective. In the Weather Warden series, the view is that of humans, specifically wardens. Wardens who have used djinns as tools and slaves until they finally revolted. In this new series we get the view from the perspective of an ousted djinn; Cassiel has been thrown out of her own djinn community and her powers diminished and requiring constant feeding of raw power. She has to learn to live with humans, beings that are in every way inferior to djinn and yet she now must rely on them to keep her alive.
It was quite a switch to see some of the usual characters from the Weather Warden series from this new perspective – a similar feeling to looking at yourself on video – is that what I really look like to others? While the shift in perspective was interesting, I found it hard to sympathise with Cassiel. Her disdain for humanity and harsh demeanor kept me from relating to her. She hates humans and yet finds herself falling in love with one. She derides their puny uses of power and still needs it to survive. Her dependency makes her feel even worse and to act that way as well – and yet we find her siding with humanity against threats, almost automatically and against her own will.
There were some things that just didn’t ring true also and they interrupted the flow of the story. Cassiel’s ignorance of human ways is no hindrance to her adopting those methods and habits. The Fire Warden Luis, has a complex character that seems to contradict itself and felt forced. Despite all of this it was a quick and enjoyable read; something new for her Warden series fans to chew on while awaiting the next in that series. While it felt a bit more like a writing experiment it was still enjoyable. However, I wouldn’t advise readers new to Rachel Caine to begin with this one. Start with the Weather Wardens, then read the Morganville Vampire series and read this one as a bit of enjoyment while waiting for more of those. I’m also interested in seeing how this new series plays out so I suppose the author accomplished what she wanted. Those who are already fans will most likely enjoy this one too and the quick glimpses at some familiar faces in the pages.
