‘Everything is geography’. (Well, they’re not wrong...)

Mud and Glass tells the story of Dr Celeste Carlucci, a young geography lecturer who just wants to make tenure and get on with her research. After her best friend gets caught up in a plot to overthrow the powerful Praxicopolis family, Celeste finds herself on the hunt for the Littoral Codex and the key to freedom of knowledge. She needs all the help she can get, from retired professors to underground organisations to the university drama department in order to get the university out from under the Praxicopolis thumb and prevent them from becoming all-powerful.

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This book was a classic adventure story, with high stakes, a wonderful cast of characters, and a plot that twists and turns through a really fun, wacky world. While the adventure aspect definitely takes centre stage I really enjoyed some of the secondary themes. The societal structure and culture of Krasnia, and how that influences the characters, was really enjoyable and added a lot to the story and our understanding of the characters. The academic shenanigans brought me a lot of joy – really, who doesn’t want an underground library?! It really centred the key theme of the novel, which is the importance of freedom to learn, research and discover, without overpowering the plot.

Celeste is a fantastic character; witty, headstrong to a fault, and loyal to the people and causes she believes in. Her relationship with her best friend Pace was so interesting and layered, and the way it evolved throughout the book felt very true to the experiences they had shared. I would love to read a prequel about all of their adventures. Some of them were alluded to or mentioned in this book and it’s clear they’ve been up to a lot in their time! There was a romantic subplot too, which usually I’m indifferent too, but I really rooted for Celeste and Russ. They were sweet and hilarious while also having a deep and meaningful relationship.

This book was just what I needed to escape from the current crazy world for a few hours. If you’re craving a bit of adventure from the comfort of your own COVID-safe home, I would highly recommend it.

Thank you Odyssey Books for giving me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.