 |
highly recommended |
"She Has No Idea What Brute Force and Subtleties Can Hold a Realm Together..." 
Once again Patricia McKillip crafts a wonderful story, and although I must admit that I haven't read all of her novels, I think it's safe to say that "Alphabet of Thorn" is one of her best works. Out of her many books I *have* read, this one is definitely my favourite. Her beautiful language, her startling imagery, her intricate plot, her mind-twisting ideas...all come together in this stunning story.
In a beautiful cliff-top palace by the sea (so high that one cannot hear the ocean from the top) a coronation is taking place for the young and inexperienced Queen Tessera. Delegates and dignitaries from the Twelve Crowns (the term given to the divided countries that rule under the Queen's supervision) have come to bestow their blessing - and their judgments - on the new Queen. Tessera is in a precarious situation, as any number of her new subjects could take this opportunity to overthrow the monarchy and establish themselves as high-ruler of Raine.
But beneath all the pomp and colour, dug deep into the cliff, is the royal library, where scholars and librarians go about their business out of sight of the bustle above. Nepenthe is a young foundling, raised by the librarians and now working as a transcriptor in the underground library when she travels to the nearby floating school of wizardry to fetch a book that needs translating. But as soon as she has the mysterious book in her hands, one that is written in a twisted language of thorns, she finds herself transfixed. Slowly she begins to translate the strange text, uncovering the history of the Emperor Axis and his sorcereress/lover Kane (I only wish McKillip had given them better names).
Axis was obsessed with conquering, and Kane was obsessed with him: together the two swept across their world, and in translating the text, Nepenthe is swept up in their tale. She is hardly aware of the political machinations going on above-ground, though she is slightly more attentive toward Bourne, the young wizard in training (unfortunately part of a treasonous family) who delivers her the book. But what compels Nepenthe to translate the book, how will it finish, and what does it have to do with the trouble brewing in Raine?
I'll say this as simply as possible: this is a terrific book, with an intricate plot and a great twist mid-way through. Newcomers to McKillip's style can sometimes be a bit off-put by the language, and when I first discovered McKillip it took me a while to get used to the fact that the story was often hidden behind the dense use of language. But the more of McKillip you read, the more you get used to it, and I found "Alphabet of Thorn" compulsive reading. Every chapter I finished, I couldn't wait to get to the next one. There are a couple of unnecessary quirks - I couldn't understand Bourne's presence at the wizard-school (simply because McKillip doesn't explore the rules of magic-users in this world; leading me to wonder why every country didn't send their kids into the school to learn how to use useful magic that can be used in their favour) and the romance between Bourne and Nepenthe wasn't entirely convincing.
But those are minor quibbles, and do nothing to affect the flow of the story. There are so many good ideas packed into this book that a less-gifted author would have probably split them up into several different books. I loved the parallel between the darkness of the subterranean library and the bustle of the palace, as well as the intricate political maneuvering that Tessera must negotiate (including the prickly relationship between herself and her deceased father's old advisor Vevay, who doesn't think Tessera has the mettle to rule). Then there's the way McKillip plays with the mutability of history and legend, plus it never ceases to amaze me at how McKillip can take a simple image, for example, a folded cloth - and form an entire theme around it. If you want to know how, you're just going to have to read the book! If I say anymore, I'll just end up giving away the entire plot - so get your hands on it.
amazing writer 
i think that this is one of the better written books i've had an opportunity to come in contact with, her writing style is just amazing. i mean, no offence, but the plot is not the most fascinating i've come across... it's focus is on a librarian who's trying to translate a book written in some foreign language. kind of dry sounding. but the author does a phenomenal job at capturing a sense of passion and obsession that one can't help but get drawn in to.
my one complaint about this author in general is that her books are kind of detached from the reader, distant in a way. it's not so much that i don't care about what happens, but that i'm just not given enough information to be able to assess the situation in depth. on the other hand, this quality gives a lot of her books an air of mystery and unpredictability. like the detachment you feel on a rainy day, where things are kind of surreal and you don't feel quite connected to the world, feeling like you're interacting with the world from another place, not your own body. so while this is a negative, in certain moods i do enjoy it because of that almost dream like approach. unique to be sure.
The Castle on the Edge
I am McKillip's fan and trying to collect all of her works. I love her way of telling a story. The metaphor, message behind an event and the language have their own class. this book is no exception. With the beautiful cover art from Craft, it is simply a gem.
The story was started with 2 stories from different timelines. They both progressed till they met at an expertly drawn point although I still much prefer The Riddle Master trilogy's.
I was kind of surprised by a twist in a sentence near the end chapters. Mesmerizing.
Great Easy Read
The book was a fabulous read and I would love for there to be another book in this world. I found myself drawn to the main character and captured by McKillip's skillful writing. Though the book is slightly predictable for frequent fantasy readers, the style of writing and intriguing theories of history will keep you entertained.
"It shapes your heart; you can hide nothing from it..."
Another great book from McKillip - a fairytale with a very natural warmth. The whole turning of the tricks and traps as lost legends move through time on their conquest of the present is handled skillfully. The pain you feel even for the coming conquerors who have their own sorrows that drive them - McKillip brushed on all details with amazing detail and concern for the characters.
reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
One of the most spectacular fantasists of our time, Patricia A. McKillip creates fairy tale worlds of wonder and magic. Now, she opens the page on a time and place where an orphan girl is haunted by thorns, a reluctant queen rules between sea and sky, and epics never end.
alphabet of thorn, alphabet, thorn
|
based on 35 reviews
