The Virtu (Melusine) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "When I opened the door, I could tell that Thamuris was dosed to the gills on laudanum..." (more)
Key Phrases: pythian casting, second septad, strong divination, Miss Parr, Vey Coruscant, Lower City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. At the start of Monette's wonderful follow-up to her extraordinary fantasy debut, Mélusine (2005), wizard Felix Harrowgate and his gutter-rat brother, Mildmay the Fox, assassin and cat burglar, are making their way through hostile territory to the city of Mélusine. Felix believes, in a burst of bravado or sheer stubborn foolishness, that he can fix the Virtu, a magical crystal that has kept Mélusine safe for centuries, and regain the good graces of the city. Since Felix's former master used Felix's magic to break the Virtu, Felix feels a personal responsibility. Mildmay, the cautious, practical half of the duo, isn't as complacent about the task. Before long, a young governess joins the party as well as two wizards, whom they rescue from being burned at the stake. Together the strangely cohesive group follows a winding path back to Mélusine, the Virtu and their destiny. This sequel is every bit as original and satisfying as its predecessor. (July)
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From Booklist

Wizard Felix Harrogate's master has stripped Felix of his magic in a sadistic ritual that destroyed the Virtu, which protects the city of Melusine, and had him declared a heretic outcast. Felix, maddened by this disaster, and his brother, cat burglar-assassin Mildmay the Fox, permanently injured by a magical curse gone awry, have spent considerable time recovering, and now Felix wants his former life, status, and power back. He determines to do the impossible: return to Melusine and repair and reactivate the Virtu. He doesn't, however, count on encountering his former master, Malker Gennadion, face-to-face. In another fine, compelling volume, Monette tidies up the loose ends and unresolved issues of Melusine (2005). Often-insufferable Felix and street-savvy Mildmay are nicely developed further, and a new central character, Mehitabel Parr, adds color and balance to their cadre. As before, no one is exactly who or what he or she seems, which only increases the fun. The magic is delightfully inventive, and the world Monette creates includes some truly intriguing aspects. Nor could one find a more deliciously sadistic villain than Malker. Perhaps best of all is Monette's authorial voice, abundantly blessed with originality, sophistication, and artistry. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Ace Hardcover (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441014046
• ISBN-13: 978-0441014040
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #680,380 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 2 in The Doctrine of Labyrinths Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this if you've read Melusine!, July 14, 2006

By	A. J Terry - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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_The Virtu_ is the second half of _Melusine_. If publishers still published large one-volume novels instead of series, the two would have worked perfectly as one book. I recommend buying both books at once and reading them in order without stopping.

The narrative is still a seamless combination of Felix and his half-brother Mildmay. The two voices are done very well. Unlike some multiple-viewpoint novels, the plot is never confusing because one narrator always takes up precisely where the other one left off.

The fantasy world is unusual and interesting, and the two main characters have great depth. Felix and Mildmay have similar pasts, but have evolved in different ways. Their strengths and weaknesses complement each other extremely well as far as their relationship and the plot goes. Both are damaged characters (mentally and physically), but still capable of good acts. Felix is here shown on his sane, or "up" side, which makes him distinctly more likeable than he was in _Melusine_. Granted, he's conceited, quickly angered, and manipulative, but he's also talented, sometimes charming, and highly intelligent and well educated. Frankly, he was too much of a one-note character in _Melusine_--all he did there was cower and whine, and none of his better traits were visible. Mildmay is much the same as in _Melusine_, but he's an interesting portrait of how a harsh background can form a person who is a professional criminal, but still capable of many generous acts. Both Felix and Mildmay evolve throughout the two books, struggling to become better people. They succeed to some extent; but realistically, with very slow progress, backslidings, and unpleasant self-realizations.

One problem I have with both books is: Everyone in them is far too quick to become extremely angry and/or hurt from a single remark from another character. There are many scenes where people who are supposedly longtime lovers or friends say one thing to each other and bang! either the relationship ends entirely, or the parties involved quit speaking for weeks. For example, Felix's relationship with Shannon--in _Melusine_ Felix is unable to enjoy sex once, and a love affair of several years is over forever. It is often unclear why some characters are in a constant state of prickly dislike for each other. There are no really healthy personal relationships in these books. I don't require books to be cozy, but it seems like statistically there should be a _few_ people in a society who can consistently trust and love each other and get along.

Although _The Virtu_ does not leave as many loose ends as _Melusine_, I'm willing to bet there will be at least one more book in the series. Some minor characters, such as Arakhne, seem to have no purpose in the plot except to return in a later book. There are also hints that the boy Florian will be in contact with Felix again someday. Many mysteries still surround the actress Mehitabel, the parentage of Felix and Mildmay, and the Mirador. The author plants an explicit question as to where Mavortian's divination cards came from.

And this is a long shot, but I'm wondering whether Mildmay is going to get trained as a wizard. He seems to have some unusual abilities that no one has yet recognized as such.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, July 22, 2006

By	M. Jacobs (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

Read this book. I can't recommend it strongly enough.

This novel picks up where _Melusine_leaves off, with Felix newly returned to sanity and Mildmay learning to deal with the injury to his leg. I don't want to give any of the plot away -- everyone should have the joy of watching it unfold at its own pace -- but I will say that every plot twist is satisfying, and appears strangely perfect and inevitable once it happens. Which is not to say that you see any of it coming, because you don't, not with any degree of surety, not until it's already upon you.

Felix is not a particularly likeable guy, a fact acknowledged by everyone, himself included. Mildmay, on the other hand, is one of the most sympathetic and compelling characters in modern fantasy. Watching his relationship with Felix develop, in both healthy and unhealthy ways, is consistently fascinating. You understand why they do what they do, even when their actions make you wince. The desire to find out what happens next may cost you sleep. It did me.

A rare novel, a rare author. I really hope there are more books in this series. You're not going to find better fantasy anywhere.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More magic and mastery in the mythical Mirador of Melusine, March 17, 2007

By	Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Picking up where we left Felix Harrowgate and Mildmay in the previous novel Melusine, we find the two brothers recuperating in the care of their mother's people in the Garden of Nephele. But whereas Felix is regarded as an honoured guest, Mildmay is treated more like a prisoner, mistakenly considered the vicious monster responsible for Felix's extensive and long term injuries.
Once more or less recovered, they eventually decide to make their return to Melusine, facing more dangers, picking up more travelling companions and encountering former ones; including Gideon and Mavortian von Herber. When back in Melusine and the Mirador, Felix seeks to repair the Virtu, which involves him and Mildmay along with their companions in a serious of further adventures, puzzles and magic, and more encounters with the evil Malkar. As before our two heroes, Felix and Mildmay, are troubled by questions of trust, loyalty, intrigue and ambitious self interest. There is also much greater reliance on magic and delving into wizardry than previously, and some rather complex theorising on the significance of labyrinths.
Most interesting is the developing relationship between Felix and Mildmay. Felix knowingly true to himself is unable to conduct himself with anything other than arrogance and pride, while Mildmay devotedly and obediently remains loyal to his older brother. Even when Mildmay becomes aware of Felix's sexual desires for him he does not loose respect for Felix, and while Felix promises not to rape him, his ambitions in other directions do not prevent him from taking advantage of Mildmay in order to achieve his goal.
Despite their faults, the two brothers remain very appealing. Felix for all his pride induced inhibitions, truly loves Mildmay and recognises his brother's abilities and devotion even if unable to express these feelings verbally. Mildmay becomes even more endearing with his selfless dedication to Felix and others and his unassuming manner; he constantly regards himself as dumb and stupid, while his actions, insight and abilities clearly prove otherwise. The positive conclusion, apart form whatever else is achieved, leads to the conclusion that both Felix and Mildmay have learned a great deal about their relationship, and may even find ways to move forward. We may yet learn as there is a third book in the series, The Mirador, to be published during 2007, which I, along with many others I am sure, eagerly await.