The Unspoken Name, by A. K. Larkwood (Tor)
I kept thinking of the
worlds of Tolkien as I read this long, rich book. It seemed to be a series of
related novels, each arc coming to a not-quite-resting place. The many worlds,
linked by portals, were are much the focus as the characters themselves…until
all the story threads were gathered together and then entire tapestry pattern
emerged. I didn’t love every character or every world, but I was right with Csorwe,
every step of the way.
“The Unspoken Name”
refers to one of the many gods that inhabit the disparate worlds, in this case
one whose name must never be uttered. Girls are brought to this god’s temple to
study and serve in the hopes that one of them will become the Bride of the God,
gifted with prophecy, living a pampered if drug-soaked life until she’s
sacrificed in her fourteenth year. Csorwe is one such, fully prepared to die .
. . until Belthandros Sethennai, a wizard who has petitioned her for answers,
interrupts her journey to death with a question of his own: Do you want to die? Or do you want to come
with me and create your own destiny?
Instead of complying
with expectations, she runs away with him, accepts his training in martial
arts, among other things, and ultimately becomes his bodyguard and hired
assassin as he seeks to wrest control of his city from his usurper rival.
That’s the initial movement in this many-act drama.
I loved that many of
the characters aren’t human, Csorwe for example. She’s more orc-like, with “grey
skin, grey freckles, yolk-yellow eyes, an overgrown mop of black hair,” … and
tusks. Nobody from other races cares particularly. They just shrug and say, “She’s
from Oshaar,” one of the many realms linked through the Serpent Gates. How
great is that?
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