Felix Harrowgate is a wizard whose former master, Malker who is a blood wizard, used his magic to break the Virtu, keystone for protection and the magics of Melusine. A consequence of that action, Felix goes mad. Now he and his half brother, Mildmay, hope to restore the Virtu. Even before they begin their travel their lives are fraught with peril and danger.
The upcoming journey becomes complicated when the two search and rescue a boy in a wealthy family. The governess, Mehitabel Parr, who helps them is fired and joins the journey. When they discover that friends, some wizards who have been arrested, the group knows they must rescue them. Mildmay and the governess, who are not as identifiable as Felix volunteer for the task. The rescue is successful and the rescued join the group and their lives become entangled.
No one is quite as they appear and the depths of the characters are fascinating indeed. Felix takes one of the musicians as a lover. And, after disliking each other intensely Miltmay and Mehitabel become friends more from a need to have someone to talk with as Felix pursues his own goal selfishly - that of being reinstated as a wizard of the Mirador. To do this he must restore the Virtu. Miltmay, however, believes his life is forfeit if he travels with Felix to Melusine so he asks Felix to put a spell on him that binds him closer than a sex partner and provides protection against death.
Much adventure, misadventure, and danger awaits the characters as they travel to Melusine and Felix works to restore the Virtu not the least of which is encountering Malker. I loved this convoluted story and the wonderful characters. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the strange relationship between the brothers which flows throughout the novel. It's an outstanding read.
The upcoming journey becomes complicated when the two search and rescue a boy in a wealthy family. The governess, Mehitabel Parr, who helps them is fired and joins the journey. When they discover that friends, some wizards who have been arrested, the group knows they must rescue them. Mildmay and the governess, who are not as identifiable as Felix volunteer for the task. The rescue is successful and the rescued join the group and their lives become entangled.
No one is quite as they appear and the depths of the characters are fascinating indeed. Felix takes one of the musicians as a lover. And, after disliking each other intensely Miltmay and Mehitabel become friends more from a need to have someone to talk with as Felix pursues his own goal selfishly - that of being reinstated as a wizard of the Mirador. To do this he must restore the Virtu. Miltmay, however, believes his life is forfeit if he travels with Felix to Melusine so he asks Felix to put a spell on him that binds him closer than a sex partner and provides protection against death.
Much adventure, misadventure, and danger awaits the characters as they travel to Melusine and Felix works to restore the Virtu not the least of which is encountering Malker. I loved this convoluted story and the wonderful characters. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the strange relationship between the brothers which flows throughout the novel. It's an outstanding read.
Not nearly as satisfying to me as Melusine but still good. Monetter style is really great and I enjoyed reading it. She does the personalities well. Sometimes the easiness of the events were frustrating but it was still a pleasant read. I had my old problem of disliking the main couples again so I think that took a LOT of enjoyment out of my experience. Oh well.
I love this book! If you haven't read Melusine yet, you need to start there. But The Virtu is IMO the best book in the series to date.
The strength of these books is the relationship between the two brother, Felix and Mildmay. They are both incredibly flawed, and scarred, and each represents to the other the part of their lives that they most want to leave behind. And yet, they have a devotion to one another that is touching, and sometimes infuriating, and altogether very intriguing.
If you like books that depend more on strong character development than on action and battle sequences, give these a shot.
The strength of these books is the relationship between the two brother, Felix and Mildmay. They are both incredibly flawed, and scarred, and each represents to the other the part of their lives that they most want to leave behind. And yet, they have a devotion to one another that is touching, and sometimes infuriating, and altogether very intriguing.
If you like books that depend more on strong character development than on action and battle sequences, give these a shot.
