A first novel from a talented writer of literary SFF. Set in the fantastic city of Melusine. The author deftly combines elements of fantasy and horror to create a novel belonging to both genres and neither.

This book follows the adventures of Felix Harrowgate, a young court sorcerer reminenscent of Lord Byron, and Mildemay the Fox, veteran cat burglar. The plot kicks off when Felix's former master captures and violates him, physically and magically, in order to shatter the Virtu, a talisman that protects the city from attack.

The assault leaves Felix broken of mind and spirit, insane and unable to explain his actions. It remains for these two characters with nothing in common and yet more than they realize, to put the pieces of this puzzle together in a quest to restore sanity and self to both.

The books alternates a first-person POV for each of the two main characters, showing two decidedly different modes of thought.

The world itself is highly detailed, with a varied, rich and sordid history, complete with slang terms (wizards are 'hocuses').

Melusine contains several graphic and explicit scenes and Monette doesn't hesitate to put her readers through emotional as well as physical torture.

Not for children or the emotionally immature.

Fans of high fantasy, horror and erotically-charged pieces.

The two distinct 'voices' of the alternating POV characters. The author's style of describing everything, even the grotesque, beautifully. Felix's descent into madness is perfectly portrayed.

The internal turmoils of the characters were occasionally portrayed too strongly, making the exterior world and the plot lose some of its reality.

Read the next one in the series.

Like whichever POV character I was reading from. Occasionally a disturbing experience, but always a special one.

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Created Apr 03, 2006 at 7:20pm • Submit your own review...