Rust in the Root

By: Justina Ireland

Narrated by: Jordan Cobb

Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The author of the visionary New York Times bestseller Dread Nation returns with another spellbinding historical fantasy set at the crossroads of race and power in America.

It is 1937, and Laura Ann Langston lives in an America divided—between those who work the mystical arts and those who do not. Ever since the Great Rust, a catastrophic event that blighted the arcane force called the Dynamism and threw America into disarray, the country has been rebuilding for a better future. And everyone knows the future is industry and technology—otherwise known as Mechomancy—not the traditional mystical arts.

Laura disagrees. A talented young queer mage from Pennsylvania, Laura hopped a portal to New York City on her seventeenth birthday with hopes of earning her mage’s license and becoming something more than a rootworker.

But four months later, she’s got little to show for it other than an empty pocket and broken dreams. With nowhere else to turn, Laura applies for a job with the Bureau of the Arcane’s Conservation Corps, a branch of the US government dedicated to repairing the Dynamism so that Mechomancy can thrive. There she meets the Skylark, a powerful mage with a mysterious past, who reluctantly takes Laura on as an apprentice.

As they’re sent off on their first mission together into the heart of the country’s oldest and most mysterious Blight, they discover the work of mages not encountered since the darkest period in America’s past, when Black mages were killed for their power—work that could threaten Laura’s and the Skylark’s lives, and everything they’ve worked for.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Justina Ireland (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Another winner.

Engaging story with beautiful narration. This is my third book by this author and I love them all.

Great

I enjoyed this book from beginning to the end. Justine never makes me regret reading one of her books.

Amazing

Never a dull moment, I actually loved the book a great read, honestly- give it a go!

Overall a great tale

I love the tale and the use of actual root-working constructs. However, the author does not have a sophisticated vocabulary. She uses too many tired cliches.

Superb!

Another wonderful story from Justina Ireland. I can’t wait for her next one! Thank you!!

Loved it!

I just loved this book from start to end….story to narration! Another in this series would be most welcome.

Worth a listen

It took me a while to get into this book compared to the others I have listened to by this author. I didn’t find the story as compelling but I’m glad I saw it through to the end. If you like magical realism and fantasy you will likely enjoy this book very much.

Fantasy meets truth

Another great story that explores historical truths through a fantastic and well developed narrative.

Can someone please make this required reading in high school?

Excellent read. Educational. Could someone please make this required reading in high school? 10 out of 10.

Loved It

I had trouble getting into Dread Nation, so I was worried when I realized that this was the same author....I may have to go back and try again. THIS book was so good! I usually reserve my listening for my commute, but I found myself listening at work and at home because I was invested. The characters were engaging. I liked the back and forth view points of the chapters.