I Read What?!

So, let's start this shindig.

So, normally, I wouldn't bother talking about the teaser blurb. It's just the lure to start reading the book after all and we'll get there eventually. It's not in every printing. But I feel like it's worth sharing in this case:

Alix jerked around and saw the man at the edges of the forest;
leather-clad in jerkin and leggings, black-haired and dark-skinned.
For a moment she stared speechlessly at him, astonished, then
her eyes widened as she saw the heavy gold bands on his bare
arms and the gray wolf at his side.

"Carillon!" she cried, backing away from the man. She heard
the hissing of Carillon's sword as he drew it from its sheath, but
saw only the streaking gray form of me wolf as it hurtled silently
across the space between them. The animal's jaws closed on
Carillon's wrist.

Alix turned to run but the stranger caught her easily. Hands
grasped her shoulders and spun her, she stared wide-eyed into a
laughing face with yellow eyes.

Beast-eyes! she cried silently. "You are Cheysuli!"

Oh yeah, this bodes well.



So we start off in the first section (or "book), which is titled "the Captive". We meet Alix, who is a young girl sitting beside a creek. She's waiting for a boy, and she's very excited, though she doesn't want him to see that, because she would be no different from anyone else to him, and therefore of no account.

He kind of sounds like a dick, Alix. But she wants to be of account to him.

Actually I have to admit, I already misremembered something. I'd thought Alix was a blond, but actually she has dark brown hair. This is a small thing, but given some of the complaints I'm going to have later on, it may actually be somewhat relevant. We get a description of the fellow in question:

His tawny-dark head was bent as he rode, blue eyes on the shedding of his gloves. He wore black hunting leathers, she saw, and had thrown a thin green woolen mantle back from broad shoulders. A flash of green and gold glittering at his left shoulder caught her eye: the emerald cloak-brooch he favored. At his heavy belt was hung a massive two-handed broadsword.

The warhorse splashed into the creek, splattering her liberally.

Well, he's not making a good impression on me. Alix doesn't mind though. And I vaguely remember this dude (Carillon), being one of the few decent people in this story, so I suppose I'll let it go.

Alix apparently decides to be mischievous and startle the horse, which plunges sideways and startles the horse half out of the creek. Why is he riding the horse IN the creek? The rider is about to be mad until he sees that it's Alix. There's some banter which is actually a bit cute, in which we learn that this fellow is "Homana's prince. He doesn't seem particularly grand about it, though Alix has a moment of the vapors when she sees his signet ring.

By the gods, she whispered within her mind, he is prince of this land and comes to see me!

He asks her about the flowers, which embarrasses her, but he compares her to a wood nymph and reminds her to call him "Carillon", declaring that Before you I am as any other man. Alix though knows that he isn't.

I have to admit, this bit is very sweet. Alix's emotions come across as reasonable and realistic. I'm not sure how young she's supposed to be, (Carillon is eighteen, we're told), but her innocence and infatuation come across well. And Carillon himself seems to be pretty decent. He's an important person, but he seems to be trying to put her at ease. Their banter seems comfortable with each other.

That's what Carillon says, anyway, when Alix points out that she's not the sort of woman that princes usually talk to. There's a way about her that he finds comforting.

On a world building note, we're told that Alix is a "crofter's daughter" while Carillon is the heir to "Shaine the Mujhar".

So anyway, Carillon came to see her for a reason. He's quick to reassure her that he's not looking to make her his "light woman" (or mistress), but he likes that he can speak freely to her. Then we see a less sensitive side:

She swallowed heavily, suddenly hurt. "Aye," she agreed hollowly. "I am an unschooled crofter's daughter with no fine conversation. I am very unlike the sleek court ladies you are accustomed to."

"The gods have made a place for every man and woman on this earth, Alix. Do not chafe at yours."

She scowled at him. "It is easy for a man of your rank to say such a thing, my lord. But what of the poor who live in Mujhara's streets, and the tenant crofters who must live on the questionable bounty of their lords? For all that, what sort of place has Shaine left to the Cheysuli?"

His hands tightened on her shoulders. "Do not speak to me of shapechangers. They are demons. My uncle's purge will rid Homana of their dark sorcery."

The unconscious classism there is not really a good look for you, Carillon. Nor is defending genocide. And it makes me really nervous that I apparently remember him as one of the more decent characters. (HOW BAD ARE THE OTHERS?) Alix tries to defend the Cheysuli, though "out of fairness rather than conviction" and asks if he'd ever met one. Carillon says he has no need to see demons to know they exist and insists that "The breed is accursed, Alix; outlawed in this land."

Whoo boy. Now admittedly, this, like the teaser, is meant to be in character racism. I'll give it that. It's nasty and awful, but it's plausible that these characters would believe this.

We learn what caused the purge/banishment of the Cheysuli: a Cheysuli stole the king's daughter (Carillon's cousin) and prompted a civil war. Hey, Carillon, I love your use of the word "stole", like she's property. Alix insists that the princess, Lindir, went with Hale willingly.

It's interesting that the name of princess AND kidnapper are so well known.

Anyway, Carillon continues to be a jackass, asking how an unschooled crofter's daughter has the right to "lesson [him] in [his] own house's history." We learn that Alix's father had been the arms-master to Shaine the Mujhar for thirty years and often spoke to her about it. He witnessed how Shaine started the war.

Carillon accuses him of speaking treason, but Alix insists it's the truth. Alix expects Carillon to bluster or be coldly arrogant, but instead he sighs and admits that neither Alix's father, nor he himself, would know everything, and he wants to tell her what he knows of the matter. But they're interrupted by someone else:

"No, princeling. Let someone who has experienced Shaine's purge tell her what he knows of the matter."

And here we get the scene from the teaser. The new guy grabs her and tells her not to struggle. He calls her "Mei jha" and points out that she was just defending his race a moment ago. He wants to tell her the truth.

Carillon, by the way, appears to be only mildly injured. He calls the man, Finn, a demon. Finn argues that he should look at the Mujhar first, because he "cried qu'mahlin" not the other way around.

There are lots of fantasy foreign words here, but the gist seems easy enough to follow.

Finn thinks that Carillon wishes to be Shaine's heir in all things (presumably meaning that Carillon intends to continue Shaine's genocide), an accusation that makes Carillon angry, but he stays where he is (the wolf is standing guard.) Alix wants to go to him, and Finn asks if she's his "mei jha" since he'd thought to make her his.

...okay, Finn, you came in pretty strong. You're starting to lose me here.

Alix says she's no one's light woman, if that's what his "barbaric" word means. He explains that it's the Old Tongue, and says he'll teach it to her. He's being kind of gross here, refusing to let her go when both she and Carillon demand.

Finn sees an opportunity here: he's got Shaine's heir. Carillon wins some points back by saying "you have me, then. Release Alix". And Finn becomes even grosser.

The Cheysuli laughed again. "But it was the woman I came for, princeling. I have only got you in the bargain. And I do not intend to lose either of you." His hand slid across Alix's breast idly. "You both will be guests in a Cheysuli raiding camp this night."

There's a nice exchange of racism and victim blaming, when Alix compares Finn to a beast, and Finn basically says that Shaine made them beasts by exiling them. Yeah, but that doesn't actually excuse kidnap and rape dude. Fuck you. And Alix, stop comparing people to animals. Fuck you too.

The conversation then repeats some of the same points as before: Carillon brings up Hale and Lindir, and notes that the practice of kidnapping seems to still be alive. Which okay, fair point dude. Finn points out that Alix isn't a king's daughter and no one will miss her.

Alix meanwhile asks if she goes with Finn willingly, would he free Carillon. That's a really stupid offer, Alix. No one in their right mind is going to give up the heir to the throne. Besides, he doesn't seem all that interested in your consent as it is.

There is an interesting moment as Finn leads them off, when he orders Carillon to take his sword back and sheathe it. He seems to recognize it, calling it "Hale's blade". It had been given to Carillon by his uncle, but, Finn explains that it was a Cheysuli blade first: made by Hale, who gave it to his liege lord. And, according to a prophecy of the Firstborn, it will one day be in the hands of a Cheysuli Mujhar.

So these chapters are pretty short, and I have no intention of letting this review take as long as Crystal Shard, so I'll move on to Chapter Two.

Finn, Carillon and Alix rendezvous with other Cheysuli, who have Carillon's horse captured as well. They offer him a new, strange horse, which is an insult. Finn explains that they know the reputation of Homanan warhorses, so they're not giving him a chance to flee. He also rips a piece of Carillon's cloak and orders him to bind his wound. Carillon pulls a Julius Caesar and says that when given time, he'll see the color of Finn's blood.

I'm not fond of his use of the word "shapechanger", but otherwise, it's hard to blame the guy for being angry at his capture.

Finn doesn't have a horse for Alix, and decides to be creepy again. She'll ride with him, and he'll enjoy the feel of [her] against [his] back.".

He actually rides behind her, but he is still gross: stating that she can hardly avoid him.

They ride to an encampment filled with woven tents, all mostly camoflaged. When they arrive, Carillon and Alix are separated. Alix is concerned, but Finn... reassures is the wrong word, because he's Finn and terrible. But he notes he'll recover. Alix wants to know why Finn set his wolf on him, which strikes me as a stupid question. Finn notes that Carillon had drawn his sword, and Storr (the wolf) acted to protect Carillon because Finn would have killed him to save his own life.

Finn uses a term, lir, when referring to the wolf and he explains it a little bit: it's a bond between a Cheysuli warrior and an animal. Apparently it could be any animal. Could it be a whale? I want a telepathic whale companion!

Anyway, Finn decides some minor sexual assault is in order and he forces a kiss onto her. But, like Mnementh before him, Storr proves himself to be a more decent being than his human partner and tells him that he shouldn't.

Alix can hear him. That's probably going to be useful later.

Anyway, Storr's protest makes Finn angry and he demands to know who she is to draw Storr's concern. Which is gross, because it implies Finn's done this before and Storr didn't care. I hope that's not the case because right now, Storr's the closest thing to a likable character.

"You are dark enough for one of us, but you have not the eyes," he muttered. "Brown, like half of Homana, Yet why else would Storr protest my pleasure? It is not for the lir to do."

So apparently the lir will only protest rape if it's against a woman of Finn's own race. Fantastic.

Alix is offended by the implication that she is Cheysuli, and Finn sends her off to tend to Carillon (who had called out worriedly when he heard her shout). Apparently his wrist is worse than he thought, because his face is drawn with pain. He is worried that Finn hurt her, but she reassures him. Carillon is not completely stoic with regard to his own pain, it's his sword arm, and without it he's not much of a prince, nor even a man, but he wouldn't speak of it otherwise.

Finn leads them to a tent then disappears. Carillon thinks they should try to escape, but he's feverish and not in any shape to leave. He thinks Alix should run for her father's croft and he could run to Mujhara...I'm assuming the capitol city, for help. The idea intimidates Alix, but Carillon urges her to go, insisting that he has faith in her, "more so than in any man who might be with me in this-".

Aw, that's actually kind of sweet. Alix thinks so too. But unfortunately, Finn returns as Carillon is still trying to convince her to go. He does a stealthy ninja worthy entrance. Alix notices his jewelry is wolf themed and "wondered anew at the strangeness of his race". Really, Alix? It's just jewelry. He has a wolf, his earrings and armbands have a wolf. It's not that weird.

So Finn mocks them, saying that an "insubstantial girl" like Alix couldn't make her way through a hostile forest without help, not like a Cheysuli. Carillon insists they have no right to keep them. Finn insists he has every right.

And indeed, the purge sounds pretty gruesome. The Cheysuli numbers have gone down from thousands to hundreds. But Shaine is now in a war with someone called Bellam of Solinde (a neighboring kingdom), so he's distracted. Anyway, I agree with Finn to an extent: kidnapping Carillon is a good opportunity and a reasonable thing to do given the circumstances. Kidnapping ALIX is much less understandable though.

Carillon figures they'll ransom him, and Finn says it's the Clan Council's decision. Alix however will stay, because the Cheysuli "place much value on a woman, for we have need of them to breed more of us." And unlike Homanans, they don't keep women for one night, they keep him forever. I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, but it sounds absolutely terrifying.

UGH.

Carillon tries to insist that Finn ransom her as well as him, and if her father can't meet the price, the Mujhar will. But Finn considers her a war prize, and has no intention of taking gold from a genocidal maniac.

Alix understandably is not on board with being treated like a prize or a broodmare, but Finn isn't inclined to listen. He claims that "Mei jhas" which he defines as a woman with no "cheysul" or husband that takes a man as a mate are honored rather than seen as whores. He asks if that's better than what the light women in Mujhara get.

Well, given that Alix doesn't WANT to be a mistress dude. NO.

Anyway, Finn says Alix is his to do with as he will. Carillon tries to grab his arm but his wound flares up. Finn offers to heal it, if Carillon allows it. So CARILLON's consent matters. But then, maybe not. Carillon says he won't suffer his touch, but Finn grabs his arm anyway and does his thing. At least he's equal opportunity in terms of ignoring consent?

He heals the wound and then he and Carillon exchange more male posturing. Finn boasts that Storr will never let anyone hurt him, even at the cost of his life. Carillon says that one day he'll kill them both. Finn however thinks that they have a different fate, and makes another reference to the prophecy.

He leaves Storr to watch them, and Alix decides to try something. She remembers hearing his voice in her mind and decides to try talking to him. He answers and says she has nothing to fear. She thinks about telling Carillon but figures he won't believe her.

Carillon, for his part, tries to urge her to escape when she gets the chance. She agrees, and wonders to herself why an injured or exhausted man can basically get a woman to agree to anything.

Um. Because escape is probably a sensible thing here? Unless you WANT to be a sex slave?

But anyway, the chapter, thankfully ends.
--

Hoo boy. This is something else. I mocked the teaser, but that was in character racism. But let's look at what we've seen of the Cheysuli so far.

We have Native American trappings, an animalistic bond. The only Cheysuli with a speaking line casually commits sexual assault, and implies that his race would be fine with him keeping her as a sex slave.

This is racist ass shit.

And right now, we have pretty much NO real likable characters. Alix and Carillon are both racist, and the latter is a genocide apologist. Finn is a rapist. The wolf apparently only cares to interfere is the victim is Cheysuli.

Ugh.

The sad thing is, I like the prose. The dialogue is a little repetitive (we didn't really need to hear about Hale and Lindir that many times), but there's a distinct voice. I like the flow of description and many of the turns of phrase. It's just that the story is bullshit.