The Blue Star, Fletcher Pratt, Ballantine, 1969
This fantasy novel is set in a parallel world modeled on 1700's Austria; it's a quiet, conversation and society-building story as opposed to a blood-soaked sword and sorcery tale.
In this world, witchcraft works; the talent is passed from mother to daughter at the moment the daughter is no longer a virgin. The daughter's lover takes possession of a five-pointed talisman from the young witch, the blue star, and with it can read the true thoughts of anyone by looking into their eyes.
Rodvard is an ineffectual clerk in the government genealogical offices. He is part of a secret organization called Sons of the New Day, who want to destroy the whole corrupt Empire and build a totally new system in its place. He is pushed into seducing a virgin witch named Lalette, so he can use her Blue Star to enhance the group's political schemes.
Neither of them really care for the other. The whole affair quickly goes wrong, and they are both forced to flee an empire that barely tolerates witchcraft.
This is a quiet story, though not without its moments of adventure. It will take some effort on the part of the reader, but it is an excellent story, and very much worth reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment