★★★★★ Magic cheese!

A Face Like Glass

Frances Hardinge

On being reminded of Frances Hardinge's A Face Like Glass earlier today, I was surprised to discover that I had never written a review of it. I read it in the first half of 2020 -- pandemic days, before I had joined Goodreads. It was my first Hardinge book, and it was the beginning of a relationship that endures to this day.

Of the Hardinge novels I have read, this is my favorite. It takes place in a monstrous cavern where food is literally magical. As a baby our heroine, Neverfell, appeared in the caverns of a cheesemaker. As she grew she became his apprentice. Neverfell wears a mask, because ordinary people can't bear to see her face -- a face transparent like glass, that changes to show what's behind it -- her thoughts and feelings. The faces of other inhabitants of Caverna are blank, unless they have been taught by facesmiths to express emotions.

Neverfell falls afoul of the rulers of Caverna, and a bold plot and revolt ensue.

I loved this. The world-building is among the most creative I have ever seen. I probably need to read it again.

Amazon review

Goodreads review

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