Whispering Wood

3.5 stars rounded up because I've been a Sharon Shinn fangirl since her 1996 debut [b:Archangel 97961 Archangel (Samaria, #1) Sharon Shinn https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388606676l/97961.SY75.jpg 3102308]. It's been seven long years since the last novel in the Elemental Blessings series, [b:Unquiet Land 28953458 Unquiet Land (Elemental Blessings, #4) Sharon Shinn https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1463260849l/28953458.SY75.jpg 47822345], was released. Shinn provides a helpful list of characters in Whispering Wood and the basics of the world she has built for the series, but I still had to go back and review the descriptions of the previous four books in order to fully appreciate the fifth. Valentina is the newly crowned King Darien's sister, a “hunti” whose blessings include steadfastness, certainty, resolve and determination. She's introverted, organized, and change-averse. But when she agrees to stay in Welce's capital city for a while after the coronation, her life becomes more chaotic as she develops complicated new relationships with Darien's wife and his daughter, as well as other Welce luminaries. She also reunites with her childhood BFF Sebastian, whose wild, adventurous “sweela” personality has led him to an illegal smuggling career. There's a lot of talking in this book, and not much action, until the final 50 pages. Until then, things happen around Val that could have dramatic effect on the kingdom, but she's usually an observer or unwilling participant. Between the lack of forward momentum and the need to keep checking the character list to remind myself who is related to whom, I enjoyed this book less than most other titles by this author. I suspect that at least part of the problem is that Shinn has self-published her last few books and lacks the editing support that she (or any author) needs. Boo hiss to Ace Books, which released the first four entries in the series but not this fifth and (presumably) final one.Reading this book felt like seeing old friends from whom you've grown apart - you're happy to see them but it's a little awkward and not quite as satisfying as it used to be.