Odalisque, by Fiona McIntosh

[keilexandra]

Odalisque: Book One of the Percheron Saga
by Fiona McIntosh
463 pages (galley proof)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

One of the Confluence dealers had a box of ARC/proof/review copy books, at very good prices. I bought both this and Book Two, Emissary (which is an advance copy too, since it comes out in October), for $10 each. Not bad for a trade paperback size. There were a few copyedit errors, but easily ignored. McIntosh is Australian, which perhaps explains why she isn't well-known in the United States yet. This book reminds me of Guy Gavriel Kay, perhaps pre-Fionavar. The quality isn't quite up to GGK's level, but the potential is there. Complex plot, vivid setting, and sympathetic characters all contribute to the greatness. Although the use of omniscient POV baffles me, when the story would be stronger in third person limited multiple point of view.

I picked this title up originally because I was attracted to the idea of a non-medieval society (harem, Zar). The atmosphere is definitely Middle Eastern, which is a nice change from the usual. The religions are completely fantasy, though, so I can't pinpoint any specific country used as the base (one of my caveats about Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series). This is historical-political fantasy, full of intrigue and betrayal. With a little more polishing and experience, I can see Fiona McIntosh joining Guy Gavriel Kay, Ellen Kushner, and George R.R. Martin as one of my favorite authors.

I'm bad at plot summary, so I'll just direct you to the Amazon reviews.

Comments

[keilexandra]

Yes! It's not completely omniscient, but in between. Interesting to know that it's a locale-trend, rather than an individual quirk. (Although from what I've read of Canadian authors, they too also stick to third person limited and should be included with the Americans.)