Odalisque: Book One of The Percheron Saga (Paperback)

~ Fiona Mcintosh (Author)
Key Phrases: fat eunuch, Grand Master Eunuch, High One, Valide Zara (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A magnificent setting distinguishes this first of a new fantasy trilogy from McIntosh (The Quickening), who imbues the city-state of Percheron with many attributes of Constantinople under the Ottoman Turks. Joreb, the zar (or ruler) of Percheron, is well served by his military leader, the handsome Lazar, who fought his way to freedom from slavery. When Joreb dies an untimely death, Boaz—Joreb's 15-year-old son by his beautiful, intelligent and ambitious first wife—becomes zar. But not even Lazar or Pez, a dwarf jester whom nearly everyone thinks is mad, can shield young Boaz from the cruel necessities of ruling Percheron. (McIntosh, who doesn't stint on depicting the brutality of slaughter, includes a disturbing castration scene.) Meanwhile, gods and goddesses feud, a new odalisque joins the harem, and a neighboring kingdom threatens invasion. While the author leaves the culture's religious aspects undeveloped, strong characters and an enticing plot bode well for future installments. (Mar.)
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Review

"A sweeping, majestic tale of love and bravery, evil and goodness...A truly grand vision brought to life." (Good Reading (Australia) )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Eos (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060899050
• ISBN-13: 978-0060899059
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #667,309 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Read something else, June 19, 2007

By	Rich Gubitosi (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

Odalisque is a tease that starts strong but fizzles into a formulaic, predictable novel. The only redeemable feature is the unique, Ottoman-inspired setting, with its emphasis on the harem. Unfortunately, the setting barely influences the story. Any setting could have been used without altering the storyline.

This novel has a lot of faults, in my opinion. First, the characters are bland and absolute, without any ambiguity: The good characters are wholly good and distinguishable by their simplicity, whereas the bad characters are wholly bad and distinguishable by their extravagance and ambition. Why is ambition a bad trait? Lazar would have been a more interesting and complex character if he had ambition. He is the best warrior and has the support of the army. Why doesn't he take steps to remove the bad guys or secure his position? And what is his position? Although he commands the army, Percheron does not seem to be at war with anyone. If there is no one to fight, why is he so important? Second, we know events before the characters do, thereby ruining any suspense and mystery. For example, we know about Tariq while none of the characters knows. Wouldn't the novel be more fun if we had to guess who Maliz would corrupt? Third, there is a lack of action and conflict. If this novel were made into a film, it would be a "talkie" because very little happens besides talking. Fourth, everyone notices that Pez and later Tariq are more than what they seem, but no one does anything about it. How stupid are these people? Fifth, the harem has all of these rules that are routinely broken for the sake of the story. For example, no men are allowed in the harem, except for Pez. How convenient considering his role in the novel is to take messages to everyone. Once Zoreb dies, why is Pez allowed to run free in the harem? He should have been eliminated as soon as Zoreb drew his last breath. Sixth, the involvement of the gods is superfluous and insensible, considering that religion never plays much of a role. Where are the zealous priests and religious ceremonies? Religion was a significant part of Ottoman culture, but it barely makes a ripple here.

The novel's overall fault is that it suffers from "volume-itis." Instead of being a compelling, stand-alone work, it is the first volume in a trilogy. It provides the setup. The problem is that it is all setup and no progress. For example, a Galinsea invasion is implied but never develops. How can Galinsea be considered a danger if we do not see one Galinsea soldier? I believe that every novel, whether part of a series or not, should stand alone as a whole and satisfying work. Odalisque does not.

Let me tell you how Odalisque could have been better. Forget everything about the gods because they are unnecessary. Imagine this: While Percheron is on the cusp of war with Galinsea, the Zar dies unexpectedly. While the Zar lived there was balance between the rival officials; once he dies, a power struggle ensues. The heir is just a boy; someone must guide him to power. Who will it be? Through intrigues, plots, alliances, and deviousness, someone among Lazar, Salmeo, Tariq, and Herezah will emerge as Boaz's regent. At the same time, a young girl joins the harem, and we get to experience that strange world through her eyes. Will she also be a player in this power struggle? I would read that novel.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read, but with reservations..., August 11, 2007

By	A. Lee (L.A., CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As with her previous series, McIntosh can really hook one with her settings, characters, situations and no-holds barred, but dramatically placed, bits of cruelty and violence. This time we are in a world much like Ottoman Constantinople--centered about the Harem of such a place as Topkapi Palace at the time of Sulieman the Magnificent. Here, we have the great and beautiful city-state of Percheron (I keep thinking of horses!), long ruled over by the zar, Joreb, until his untimely death. Into the power vacuum steps the ambitious Hezerah, The Valide, first wife of Joab and mother of his teen-aged heir, Boaz. She has climbed to the top by virtue of her ruthlessness, her intelligence and her ability to please the zar and give birth to his first son, and she has no intention of letting anyone stand in her way now that Joab is dead and she can reign supreme (Boaz is young and inexperienced, but is closer to her than any others--and still needs her). She secures Boaz's and her power by immediately ordering the death of Boaz's younger siblings (graphically described). Life is harsh, amidst the beauty and culture of Percheron!

But there are others who vie for power in the Palace, such as the inept, bitter, ambitious Vizier and the powerful head Eunuch, who oversees the harem. Caught in the power-plays is Lazar, a foreigner who fought his way out of slavery to become the head of the zar's military. He was totally loyal to the zar and is one of the few true friends of young Boaz, and the one may who may help Percheron stand against the fierce Galinseas, who may launch an invasion some day. And there is Boaz's other friend, the mad dwarf Pez, who is more than he seems. Finally, there are ancient gods and old, evil sorcerers coming to life after long ages. It is a mix that seems to bode ill for a number of people and places...

The writing is competent, the characters interesting, the situations-- often alarming and brutal but intriguing, however some motivations and actions are puzzling and some characters are less realistically drawn than others (primarily the horrible ultra-cruel head Eunuch). But however flawed, there are still enough of those marvelous hooks to make the reading compelling (although often in the way train-wrecks are difficult to look away from).

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic take on a culture and community reminiscent of Constantinople, May 30, 2007

By	Bookreporter.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

Let it never be said that Fiona McIntosh is not daring. Having established herself quite firmly with the solid work of the Quickening Trilogy, involving readers in more tried-and-true fantasy climes with castles and familiar settings, this time she takes a gamble. Rather than hold steady and go through the motions, she plots a new course and opens up an array of excitement and intrigue in Percheron, her fantastic take on a culture and community reminiscent of Constantinople.

Lazar, when we meet him, is a slave, brought for trade to the city. The law of the Zar dictates that a slave may fight for his freedom against a professional soldier. Zar Joreb is witness to the fight, amazed that this slave could best a dozen men, refusing to kill them as is customary. Joreb makes Lazar his Spur, protector of the Zar and of the city, from both without and within.

When Joreb dies, one of his many wives, Herezah, seeks to place her son, Boaz, upon the throne. To do so, she must eliminate the other children, for they could be potential assassins and enemies of the Zar. Her intentions are purely personal, seeking the power that comes with being the mother of the Zar and thus enabling her to bend the will of the world to her whims.

Lazar does not trust her and is bound to Boaz through more than just title. Boaz, only 15, trusts and respects Lazar. His only other friend is the mysterious and troublesome jester, a twisted dwarf by the name of Pez. They fear for the young Zar because those who would seek him the most harm are actually the ones who are the closest to him, and Lazar may not be capable of protecting him from all angles. It is more worrisome when Herezah sends Lazar away to seek odalisques for the new Zar, separating the young man from his protector and leaving only the mad dwarf to aid him.

Yet even more powerful machinations are at play, and powers greater than could have been imagined begin to awaken and put their pawns into play. All of Percheron hangs in the balance.

As in her previous works, McIntosh has a deft way with a story; she rushes you along, never slowing for you to become bored but never too fast for you to struggle to keep up. The details of the various plots and schemes web across one another, and intensity builds until the very end when you are left waiting for the follow-up title that will answer your questions and no doubt open up greater pitfalls.

The characters in ODALISQUE are exquisite and interesting. The beauty of them is their mystery, for they all seem to hold secrets that we never really know up front. It is as if you are meeting them and have to learn about them over time. Lazar is nearly superhuman in his warrior abilities, but something lies within him that needs to be learned. Pez, for all of his peculiarities, is far more than he appears. In fact, he may be more than even he realizes. Herezah and her minions are simply foul individuals but are so nicely drawn that they have their own allure.

Percheron itself is wonderful. With McIntosh's descriptions of the city and its surroundings, you get a deep sense of love that the author felt for the project. It is vibrant and beautiful, savage and deadly --- a backdrop not often utilized in the fantasy world. In this case it is a welcome and well-presented change of pace.

Fantasy fans should be so lucky as to find a larger palette of worlds to discover --- and luckier still if they were as astonishingly well-written as this. It is refreshing to see an author challenge herself and spread out into a new realm so vastly different, alluring and seductive as to capture the imagination instantly. Yes, Fiona McIntosh took a gamble.

It paid off very, very well.

--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard