R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1438 more book reviews
Upland's families are poor and uneducated for learning is not valued as it is in the Lowlands. But Upland people have treasured gifts. Some with a simply a glance, a gesture, or a word can summon animals, create fire, or move land. Others can twist a limb, chain a mind or inflict lingering wasting illness. The talents are passed from the parents - father to son and mother to daughter. Families live in fear, fear that another family might use its gift against others to control both people and land.
Relayed in first person, the story is told by Orrec who is talking to an unbelieving Lowlander. Orrec's family seems to have an intensely powerful gift - that of undoing or killing. His gift is wild and uncontrollable. Could he unintentionally kill those he loves by just looking at them? An emotional incident with his father helps him realize the dangers of using the gift. To avoid such an occurrence, Orrec covers his eyes with blindfolds. Gry, a close friend, helps him navigate darkness while she too, refuses to use her own gift - that of talking to animals and calling them to hunt.
In short, this novel focuses on small community politics where strong families have power over others. For Orrec, it means finding understanding and learning control his gift, exploring what happens when actions can lead to dangerous consequences.
A wonderfully clever story that won the 2005 Locus nomination for best fantasy novel, it is a quiet tale with introspective threads such as family pride in the children and love of one another, grieving and loss. Wonderful writing within a creative and thoughtful tale.
Relayed in first person, the story is told by Orrec who is talking to an unbelieving Lowlander. Orrec's family seems to have an intensely powerful gift - that of undoing or killing. His gift is wild and uncontrollable. Could he unintentionally kill those he loves by just looking at them? An emotional incident with his father helps him realize the dangers of using the gift. To avoid such an occurrence, Orrec covers his eyes with blindfolds. Gry, a close friend, helps him navigate darkness while she too, refuses to use her own gift - that of talking to animals and calling them to hunt.
In short, this novel focuses on small community politics where strong families have power over others. For Orrec, it means finding understanding and learning control his gift, exploring what happens when actions can lead to dangerous consequences.
A wonderfully clever story that won the 2005 Locus nomination for best fantasy novel, it is a quiet tale with introspective threads such as family pride in the children and love of one another, grieving and loss. Wonderful writing within a creative and thoughtful tale.
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