For centuries, the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by the god known as the Raven. He watches over his territory from atop a tower in the powerful port of Vastai. His will is enacted through the Raven’s Lease, a human ruler chosen by the god himself. His magic is sustained via the blood sacrifice that every Lease must offer. And under the Raven’s watch, the city flourishes.
But the power of the Raven is weakening. A usurper has claimed the throne. The kingdom borders are tested by invaders who long for the prosperity that Vastai boasts. And they have made their own alliances with other gods.
It is into this unrest that the warrior Eolo–aide to Mawat, the true Lease–arrives. And in seeking to help Mawat reclaim his city, Eolo discovers that the Raven’s Tower holds a secret. Its foundations conceal a dark history that has been waiting to reveal itself…and to set in motion a chain of events that could destroy Iraden forever.
I’ll begin with an admission; I’ve not read much of Ann Leckie’s science fiction writing. The Imperial Radch trilogy entirely passed me by. Such are the trials and tribulations of a book reviewer – so many books, so little time. I did, however, get the opportunity to read Provenance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Recently I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of the author’s first foray into the fantasy genre. It seemed like the ideal opportunity to explore more of her work.
At first glance the story of Mawat seems straightforward. His father is a powerful religious leader, ordained by a god known as the Raven. Mawat is due to succeed his father but a conspiracy is afoot to ensure that this never comes to pass. Mawat and his friend/second in command, Eolo, are forced to investigate the plot that threatens to destroy everything.
The two main characters could not be more different. Mawat has that indomitable hero vibe. He is so sure of himself. In fact, I’d go so far as to say there is a subtle arrogance to this impulsive man of action. For me, Eolo is far more interesting. A thinker and a natural problem solver, Eolo wants to better understand the nature of the gods. Mawat dreams only of the power that is he considers his birth-right.
There is far more to The Raven Tower than just political intrigue and Machiavellian power plays however. Alternate chapters feature the gods of Iraden and their role in events. This thread of the plot unfolds in a more sedate fashion. It turns out, as a rule, that gods are a contemplative bunch and will happily ponder a single idea for many years.
One such introspective being is Strength and Patience of the Hill. They have found that as decades, centuries and millennia pass by, there is plenty of time to ponder the nature of just about everything. People come to the hill and worship, priests pose questions and ask for advice. This god spends time observing how time and people change, almost like a scientist viewing results of an experiment. The idea that there is an innate, natural inquisitiveness in a divine being is an interesting concept.
I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Strength and Patience and another god known as the Myriad. Both characters have been around since the dawn of time, so their interactions span entire generations of humanity. Strength and Patience exists within a rock while the Myriad is made of up many insects who are constantly travelling across the world. Their respective outlooks are quite different. Strength is a natural observer, watching the world from a single location, constantly detailing the smallest changes. Meanwhile the Myriad is more like a politician, meeting with other gods, forging alliances and brokering deals. You get the impression both view the other as being in a less fortunate situation than themselves.
There is certainly a thoughtful air to Leckie’s writing. How does a god know they are a god? What does the process of achieving godhood entail? Once you have achieved divinity what is required to retain it? The writing also explores more universal questions – how does religion and belief shape societies? Can those who do a god’s bidding avoid the trap of being corrupted by the trapping of power? If you are favoured by a divine being, exactly what would you be prepared to do in order to retain that favour?
One of the things I liked most about The Raven Tower is how it handles the different pace between the two narrative threads. Eolo and Mawat are in a race against time. Their part of the story begins during a turbulent time for the city of Vastai. There is a real sense of urgency regarding the events that surround these two. Politics and religion are at loggerheads as factions vie for power. Their entire thread of the plot encompasses only a handful of days. Meanwhile the story featuring Strength and the Myriad is significantly longer. Part of me was unsure how I was going to cope with this format, but the storytelling is so deftly executed I had no trouble switching gears when necessary.
I’ll admit I was completely blindsided by the novel’s ending. I love it when an author manages to pull this feat off. No spoilers obviously, but suffice to say the final scenes are the perfect ending to an utterly engrossing tale. I thought I had an inkling about where things were heading; I was way off. Please consider my expectations well and truly exceeded. The Raven Tower is a first-rate fantasy, flawlessly executed.
My choice for musical companion to The Raven Tower is the soundtrack to Earthsea by Jeff Rona. There is a nice fantasy vibe to the music that evoked the same sort of experience that I had with the novel. A case of perfect bedfellows as far as I am concerned.
The Raven Tower is published by Orbit and is available now. Highly recommended.
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