Customer Reviews

The Exile And the Sorcerer (Lyremouth Chronicles) Book One.

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tevi is the oldest daughter of Red, who in turn is the daughter of the Queen of Storenseg. In this matrilineal society, the women are the warriors and the men are small, weak, and serve in roles as housekeepers, babysitters, and servants. Tevi does not belong. She is awkward-not good with a sword or any type of weapon-and the leaders of Storenseg do not believe she possesses any useful leadership skills. Her younger sister, Laff, is far better suited for power and ruling. Unfortunately, Tevi makes the mistake of revealing feelings for a woman, and in this profoundly heterosexist society, that is cause for death or exile. Like the ugly duckling, Tevi is a disgrace in the eyes of all her people.

Rather than sentence her own granddaughter to death, the Queen sends Tevi on an impossible mission to recover a chalice stolen under odd circumstances. In anguish, the 19-year-old woman embarks upon a journey to other lands. In classic Quest form, Tevi goes out in the world and this is when the fun starts. While learning new skills and finding talents she didn't know she had, she encounters wayfarers, sorcerers, enchanted castles, witches, wild animals, dwarves, and magic-and Jemeryl, who is a young Sorceress who not only saves Tevi from a terrible fate, but also proves critical in formulating a search for the stolen chalice. As it turns out, Tevi's quest has much further reaching ramifications than anyone back in Storenseg ever imagined.

Originally published as Parts One and Two of Lorimal's Chalice, this new incarnation leads off a series that will include a second book, THE TRAITOR AND THE CHALICE (June 2006), which comprised Parts Three and Four of Lorimal's Chalice, and the all-new third book, THE EMPRESS AND THE ACOLYTE (October 2006).

THE EXILE AND THE SORCERER is a mesmerizing read, a tour-de-force packed with adventure, ordeals, complex twists and turns, and the internal introspection of appealing characters. The author writes effortlessly, handling the size and scope of the book with ease. Not since the fantasy works of Elizabeth Moon and Lynn Flewelling have I been so thoroughly engrossed in a tale. This is knockout fiction, tantalizingly told, and beautifully packaged. It receives my very highest recommendation.

A lot of people swear that Jane Fletcher is the goddess of Sci-fi writing. She seems to almost have a cult following. But whenever I read the synopsis on her book covers, well - they seemed a little too much fantasy. But, on the advice of friends, who assured it wasn't too far into the fantasy realm, I bought the book.

To say her story was good is an understatement. It was good on so many levels. The story flowed smoothly and seamlessly. There was nothing that jarred me out of the story for even a minute. The story caught and held my attention, not in the riveting - edge of your seat sort of way - but just waiting to see what happened next. This story had so many different levels to it.

Without giving away any spoilers:

- it hits home to anyone who -

**grew up without that 'blood is thicker than everything' or 'family must always stand together' belief
**grew up being different - whether it was being gay, too skinny, too fat, too smart, too dumb - or anything that made you feel different
**grew up always being told you weren't good enough, or smart enough
**has ever been truly alone in the world
**has wondered why you are here
**has ever been betrayed by someone you trusted
**has ever been abandoned
**lost your faith in others
***and I'm sure there are other places it hits that didn't touch my soul. Yet it leaves you hoping, believing that goodness and honesty will win.

It doesn't hit so hard it hurts, but it hits hard enough to actually make your heart skip a beat when you recognize yourself; or when you emphasize with the character.

It's not a fast & easy read, as are many lesbian literature books. This isn't 'fast food.' It's a gourmet meal to be consumed, and every bite savored.

Now, of course, I must go out buy the sequel. (and then start on her next series)

I waffled on 3-1/2 versus 4 stars. I think I eventually get frustrated with Jane Fletcher. She hits some marks with such power, and so perfectly, that it's a noticeable contrast when she breezes over other issues or scenes that I would have liked to see expanded. Some things seem to come to resolution too quickly, while others take most of the book to develop. But mostly, these are quibbles.

The structure of the society within this book is detailed and interesting, pretty much a must for a fantasy novel. The Protectorate is an ability-based society in which wealth is not inherited. The main social divisions seem to be whether you are a sorcerer or not, and if not then you join a Guild. The sexes are more or less equal, and the people are pretty fluid as to their choice of sexual partners. Into this world stumbles Tevi, freshly exiled from the isolated island country of her childhood in which women rule by dint of strength, embodying many of the worst traits often decried in patriarchy. This whole set-up presented an interesting contrast of societies, and made for a lot of conflict and character drama. (As an aside, it's always nice to read a lesbian fantasy novel that doesn't gloss over the existence of men).

The author shows great facility with language, and is a joy to read. She had a distinct and pleasant narrative voice. My biggest complaint is probably that she often tells us what the characters are feeling, versus describing the emotion. Also, at least for this book we don't really get any romance between the characters until the very end.

Still, a good read over all and a great beginning to this series. I am eager to see how Jem and Tevi finish Tevi's quest.

I've just finished reading this story for the second time, and enjoyed it even more.

The story relates how Tevi, heir apparent and war leader of an island kingdom, is made an offer she cannot refuse. She's been a mediocre warrior all along, and now she's been revealed to have queer tendencies, which do not sit well with her grandmother, the queen. She is sent off on an impossible quest, to find the stolen sacred chalice of the island. The book brings us to the point where Tevi meets the sorcerer whose destiny is foretold to be linked with hers, and despite the grave reservations of both the mercenary guild (which Tevi has joined), and the Sorcerer's Coven, the pair set off to hunt down the chalice, which turns out to be not as trivial an artifact as originally assumed.

The style of the storytelling is subtle, reserved, beautifully echoing the essential innocence of the main characters, despite their increasing caution as they gain knowledge of the currents of deceit and stupidity that surround them. A gently lyrical thread runs through the narrative, which does not take lyrical detours, but weaves the action, the character observation, and its beautifully restrained commentary together on every page. Except for the first few pages, which are necessarily difficult, it is a lovely page-turner. Ms Fletcher has a unique voice, with humor and the kind of compassion for which Marion Zimmer Bradley was well known in her best work. Tevi is a delightful protagonist, and the impetuous Sorcerer Jemeryl, who has just begun to struggle against a mild case of self-involvement, appears to be a perfect foil. The Magpie Klara provides beautifully sardonic comic relief in the latter half of the book, so you need to get there fast!

(The cover art is a poor excuse for a painting; surely a better illustrator is out there? Even a map would have been better... or a magpie. Too late, huh?)

Arch

She is not new but she is new to Bold Strokes Books. I like that because I can read straight trough the whole series.
I just finished this on and was so very happy to finally find a lesbian (sci-fi or adventure) writer that is as good as any main stream author. Reading this book made me think of Robert Jordon's Wheel of Time Series. Not that the books are similar but that they are both awesome authors.
This book was very well written. My escape was total and complete. I couldn't put it down.

Jane Fletcher has again piqued my interesting.

Her characters are believable. Witchcraft for the good is a nice concept.

I felt like I was left wanting. I can't wait for the next book to be published.