Orphan Rossamünd Bookchild has been sworn into the Emperor's service—his duty is to light the lamps along the Emperor's highways and protect travelers from the ferocious bogles that live in the wild. But he's found it no easier to fit in with the lamplighters than he did with the foundlings—always too small and too meek—and his loneliness continues no matter how hard he tries to succeed. But when a haughty young girl, a member of a suspiciously regarded society of all-women teratologists— monster hunters—is forced upon the lamplighters for training, Rossamünd is no longer the most despised soul around. As Rossamünd begins to make new friends in the dangerous world of the Half-Continent, he also seems to make more enemies, finding himself pushed toward a destiny that he could never have imagined.

There is plenty to love about this book and the series so far. Aside a vivid world, even pacing, and an easy to follow single PoV there are great illustrations, done by D.M. Cornish, sprinkled throughout the book and an extensive glossary (110 pages) in the back in case you lose track of all the unusual terminology. There are also some things that concern me given the recommended reading age of 12+. Some readers (by no means all) are going to be put off by the extensive world building. Most of the words and terms are explained as they are used, and if not, well you can look them up. However, needing to look them up ruins the flow of the story and may, I fear, cause some readers to lose interest if they find themselves having to frequently flip to the back. There is also a certain amount of predictability but in this case, that may be a benefit to a YA reader, especially one who just wants to enjoy an adventure tale instead of spending time figuring out subtle plot points.

Reservations aside, I loved this book as much as I loved Foundling. Rossamünd continues to mature as he tries to come to terms with the fact that the things he has been taught do not exactly match the things he sees for himself. I enjoyed watching his struggles with the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, and the things one is forced to do in the name of duty and honor, all while just trying to fit in. Great story and I look forward to seeing where D. M. Cornish takes it.

Full Review Here: Old Bat's Belfry ( )

In the second book of the Monster Blood Tattoo trilogy, young Rossamünd Bookchild, a lamplighter prentice in the Emperor’s service, has trouble fitting in with the lamplighters, who think he is too small and timid to travel the highways lighting and dousing the lights or to aid travelers facing danger. However, his skills with potives and restoratives earn him a role as dispenser of healing draughts and repellents. Then Threnody, an arrogant young member of a feared society of female monster hunters and a burgeoning wit, is foisted on the lamplighters for training, and she joins Rossamünd as another outsider in the service. The pair face not only bizarre monsters but also treachery on the part of the power-hungry Master-of-Clerks, who usurps the position of the Lamplighter-Marshall and transfers Rossamünd and Threnody to the most dangerous post in the Half-Continent. The setting, characterizations, and relationships are as well limned as in Foundling (2006), and the suspense is palpable as the two young people find themselves facing incredible survival odds.

**spoiler alert** Good book.

I'd eagerly recommend it to anyone. Though I'm a bit disappointed in a main character who could grow up for many years not realizing that which is obvious to the reader within a few chapters (there's something not normal with the boy). I'm also of the opinion that we don't need to assign crazy names to every damn thing in existence, a stick with a lamp could be called just that...

But, I applaud the depth of the world created here. This is an intriguing world, with lovable (and loath able) characters, a good amount of dialogue and a great plot.

It's great to see the Lamplighter finally take his place by the Branden Rose's side, something I'm sure we were all eagerly awaiting. Read it, you won't be disappointed. ( )

A great second book in the Monster Blood Tattoo series by Cornish. Orphan Rossamund Bookchild begins his training as a lamplighter. On his first day along the Emperor's highway they encounter monsters chasing a carriage filled with passengers. The lampligher trainees know as lampsticks and the senior trainers help the passengers fight off the deadly attack. The passengers are women teratologist--monster hunters with the gift of witting. One of their number a young girl is coming to join the lampsticks. Rossamund has a variety of life threatening encounters with boggles as he finishes his training and is assigned to his first official assignment.
Challenging vocabulary
recommend/no language issues
Violence ( )