The Virtu and over 360,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle – Amazon’s new wireless reading device. Learn more

21 used & new from $23.75

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
The Virtu (Melusine)
 
 
Start reading The Virtu on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.
 
  

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...)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


2 new from $88.23 19 used from $23.75

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Kindle Edition $6.39 -- --
  Hardcover -- $88.23 $23.75
  Mass Market Paperback -- $35.00 $33.50

Special Offers and Product Promotions


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Mirador

The Mirador

by Sarah Monette
4.6 out of 5 stars (12)  $7.99
Melusine

Melusine

by Sarah Monette
Corambis

Corambis

by Sarah Monette
4.2 out of 5 stars (18)  $16.47
A Companion to Wolves

A Companion to Wolves

by Sarah Monette
3.6 out of 5 stars (29)  $6.99
Scarlet and the White Wolf

Scarlet and the White Wolf

by Kirby Crow
4.7 out of 5 stars (7)  $10.04
Explore similar items

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)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


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

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)

More About the Author

Sarah Monette
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Sarah Monette Page

Inside This Book (learn more)


Books on Related Topics (learn more)
 
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Virtu (Melusine)
46% buy the item featured on this page:
The Virtu (Melusine) 4.6 out of 5 stars (20)
Melusine
19% buy
Melusine 3.6 out of 5 stars (63)
The Mirador
16% buy
The Mirador 4.6 out of 5 stars (12)
$7.99
Corambis
13% buy
Corambis 4.2 out of 5 stars (18)
$16.47

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (15)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
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
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
_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.
Comment Comments (3) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
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.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
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
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.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Monette does it again.
Sarah Monette, The Virtu (Ace, 2006)

Monette returns to the rich, detailed world she created in her first novel, Mélusine, for a sequel. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robert P. Beveridge

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes!! Again!
Often, sequels suffer from the "sophmore slump", but The Virtu is actually a BETTER novel than Melusine, which was rather enjoyable. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. J. Joseph

5.0 out of 5 stars Retracing the steps of the first book
Readers who dislike this series often complain about a lack of character arc. And if you are looking for Arragon to give up being a nameless ranger and take his rightful place as... Read more
Published 12 months ago by R. Murphy

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots Of Twists and Turns!
'The Virtu' is the continuing story of half-brothers Felix Harrowgate and Mildmay the Fox. Felix is no longer insane, Mildmay is now crippled, and the brothers begin their journey... Read more
Published 20 months ago by BookNerd

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost everything I hoped for
This book is the sequel to Melusine, and that's by way of saying they're more like two volumes of a single tale than two standalone books. Read more
Published 23 months ago by J. Allis

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL SURPRISE. exellent read, not a quickie
Prior to this book, read the first book in the series, "Melusine", and just ignore the embarrassing artwork that looks like Fabio's red haired cousin. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Confessed Beadaholic

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ, I WAS JUST FINISHING THE MOONS TREATOR, AND I WAS SCARE THAT I WILL NEVER FIND A BOOK AS GOOD AS THAT ONE, BUT I WAS WONDERFOUL... Read more
Published on September 14, 2007 by Dayana A. Novoa Chavez

4.0 out of 5 stars Incesty, but still good.


"The Virtu" picks up almost precisely where "Melusine" leaves off, and is as strongly and cleverly written. Read more
Published on September 4, 2007 by B. Sullivan

2.0 out of 5 stars Hard to get into
I am not really sure whether it's the writing style or the characters but I found this novel to be very difficult to get involved in, something I also felt about the previous... Read more
Published on September 2, 2007 by D. Syrek

5.0 out of 5 stars good book
A story with a non-predictable plot! The first book in the series had more depth to as you were told more of the emotions of the two brothers. Read more
Published on January 7, 2007 by K. Stewart

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
why do i love this book? 0 May 2007
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   




Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.