Last song before night

Ilana C. Myer

Book - 2015

Saved in:

1st Floor Show me where

SCIENCE FICTION/Myer Ilana
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
1st Floor SCIENCE FICTION/Myer Ilana Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Fantasy fiction
Published
New York : Tor 2015.
Language
English
Main Author
Ilana C. Myer (-)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
"A Tom Doherty Associates book."
Physical Description
415 pages : illustration ; 25 cm
ISBN
9780765378309
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In the complicated epic fantasy world of Myer's debut novel, only men can become poets, play harps, set their work to music, and become magical Seers. Traumatized young heroine Lin is tormented by her sadistic brother and miserable that she cannot openly follow her musical vocation. After being surreptitiously trained in music and magic by the great poet-Seer Valanir Ocune, Lin escapes her brother and embarks on a dangerous journey to find a portal to the Otherworld and secure the true Silver Branch that empowers poets-an act of treason against the evil court poet, Nickon Gerrard, the power behind the throne. Lin endures increasingly horrific trials and humiliations, several of which emphasize the oppression of women; in Myer's narrative, men must accept the necessity of self-sacrifice before their redemption can be achieved. Despite jarring modern dialogue and some foggy lapses in character development, Lin's quest moves steadily to an effective though expected conclusion, leaving room for adventures to come. Agent: John Silbersack, Trident Media Group. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Necromancy and evil powermongering threaten a kingdom once known for the pure-hearted and enchanted quality of its music in this high-fantasy debut.Centuries ago, the poets of Eivar wove spells into their songs, until the king forced them to renounce their magic forever. Now the current Court Poet, Nickon Gerrard, seems to have found his own source of magic, one that feeds on blood and death . On the eve of the poets' contest for the highly coveted Silver Branch, three poets face serious setbacks. The famed Valanir Ocune sings a provocative work that labels his peers' efforts hollow and is arrested for his treasonous temerity; the popular favorite, Darien Aldemoor, is cut from the contest when he's betrayed by his viciously ambitious best friend; and Lin Amaristoth, a fugitive noblewoman seeking acceptance as a poet even though the Poets' Academy bars women from admittance, is abandoned by her musical partner. Each, for their own reasons, decides to seek the Path to the Otherworld that could potentially restore magic to poets and cleanse the kingdom of corruption and evil sorcery. Myer calls to mind the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay as she beautifully expresses just how much art in general and music in particular can mean to its most devoted practitioners and how well-chosen words can influence the fate of a nation. While this is hardly grimdark, Myer doesn't flinch from infusing her work with realistic portrayals of humanity's less savory side, including haunting portraits of abuse, misogyny, dysfunctional relationships, and the dangerous ways in which jealousy can fester.This is a strong series kickoff, with enough action and resolution of key plot points that it can stand by itself while leaving ample room for new storylines in future volumes.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.