Maledicte, by Lane Robins

[keilexandra]

Maledicte
by Lane Robins (lanerobins)
434 pages (trade paperback)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

This has been on my list for a while, so I jumped at the chance to borrow it from sarahbrand at Alpha. Unfortunately I forgot to note the page count, andThank you, Sarah! I read it very quickly due to time constraints. I wish I'd had time to savor it slowly, because it was an excellent book.

The story opens with Miranda and Janus, two street rats doing small-time robbery in the Relicts district. Janus is unexpectedly kidnapped by a sneering nobleman, as he is the bastard son of Lord Last (who has no other heirs). Broken-hearted and furious, Miranda finds her way to the ruined temple of Black-Winged Ani, who makes a pact with her. Plotting for vengeance ensues; Miranda is given a deadly sword with a black-feathered hilt and stumbles--by chance?--into the home of Last's longtime enemy Vornatti. She secures the sympathy, aid, and friendship of Vornatti's servant Gilly, eventually debuting in the court as a fiery-tempered, beautiful man called Maledicte.

I won't give away anything more, but suffice to say that Ani is a vicious, vengeful goddess and Janus has his own yearning for power. There are other memorable characters, all deeply and expertly drawn. I half-expected the ending for a while, but it was nevertheless satisfying. Highly recommended, especially for like-minded lovers of political fantasy.

Comments

[sarahbrand.livejournal.com]

Maledicte is 434 pages in trade paperback.

[keilexandra]

Thank you! Edited.

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

This sounds interesting. I'll check it out.