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siavahda's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit, this one was a let down. I've loved every other Larke book I've read so far, but this was not only very tough to get into (I almost gave up on it several times in the first third of the book) - when it DID get good and interesting, it ruined it with predictable twists and a horrible ending. Not at all sure I'll be picking up book 2.
lcasswrites's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book almost ten years ago, and picked it up again recently when I was in the mood for a good high fantasy read. Just like last time, I was engaged in this book from page 1 and enjoyed it even more on the second read. Larke’s characters are flawed and compelling, and her skill with world-building allows you to become completely immersed in the story. Her main character- Ligea Gayed- is a tough, kick-ass woman, and Larke writes her in such a way that even when she’s not necessarily doing the right thing, you want to get behind her anyway.
I dived straight into book two - The Shadow of Tyr - after reading the final page, and am already devouring it as quickly as The Heart of the Mirage. In my opinion, there’s no better indicator for how good a book is! A highly recommended read!
I dived straight into book two - The Shadow of Tyr - after reading the final page, and am already devouring it as quickly as The Heart of the Mirage. In my opinion, there’s no better indicator for how good a book is! A highly recommended read!
diesmali's review against another edition
3.0
A solid story that is interwoven strongly with the development of the main character. In fact, more happens on the inner landscape than the outer, to the point where it was focused so much on one person that it lost the strength of the world plot (Reminds me of Jemisin). An interesting political world reminiscent of a Rome trying to quench an annexed province with magical people.
I'm undecided if I will read the rest of the trilogy or leave it be.
I'm undecided if I will read the rest of the trilogy or leave it be.
scrappyreadermum's review
5.0
I took a bit to get into it then I couldn't put it down. I loved it. I found Ligea interesting. The author did a good job on her transformation and making her a brat
ireadthebooks's review
4.0
Ah, another Larke novel, another reading experience fraught with emotion and action and intrigue and awesome.
Most reviews will talk about the novel’s obvious parallels to ancient Rome and their widespread conquest of Europe. Tyr has indeed conquered far and wide, with the unruly Kardiastan being one of their conquests, and there are stark similarities with Tyranian references to baths, etc. While this bothered some people, it didn’t really bother me. The “strong nation conquers many weak nations” archetype is very, very common in fantasy, and I felt it was well-done in Heart of the Mirage. Kardiastan wasn’t some faceless, mindless conquered nation. Many of the places where Rome conquered, they inserted their own buildings and troops, like they did in Kardiastan, but unlike those places, Kardiastan refused to be assimilated. Their people didn’t give up their language, style or identity, and clearly have a kind of Underground Railroad effort going to get escaped Kardi slaves to freedom in the Mirage. Their rebellion is fraught with a quiet, stealthy defiance that I enjoyed reading about.
As always, Larke’s characters are highly flawed, often selfish, but ultimately still likeable. At the start of Heart of the Mirage, Ligea was stuck up, blind and willfully ignorant of the evils of the empire and her own contribution to their poor treatment of the conquered. Because of her Kardi heritage, she’s sent to Kardiastan to uncover a rebel leader who is supposed to have been dead. She and her former slave, Brand, go undercover as escaped slaves and quite by accident, Ligea finds (and has relations with) the rebel leader, Tem. She is torn between her loyalty to the Tyranian general who raised her and the struggles of the Kardi group, including the kindness and charisma of Tem. There’s also Brand, the slave obviously in love with his mistress, and she’s got some undefined feelings for him and you just wonder what will happen. Brand is quiet, intense and intelligent, a phenomenal secondary character for the selfish, cunning Ligea to go around with. As a now-freed slave, Brand knows firsthand what it’s like for Tyr to wrench his freedom away for no other reason than his youth and inability to defend himself, and he tries to make Ligea understand how WRONG it is for that to happen over and over again, with no one to defend the innocent.
Ligea’s struggle throughout the novel was the driving force. Would she betray the group she’d come to like and even love? Would she betray the empire and help Kardiastan overthrow the yoke of Tyranian tyranny? Continually thoughout Heart of the Mirage, I thought, “This plot point will go like THIS because that is how fantasy novels work.” And then Larke completely turns that plot point on its ear and I was all, “AUGH WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” Even at the end, when Ligea has finally chosen her path, it doesn’t work in the way you expect, or the way I wanted. The end is happy but it’s not a happy ending. And that’s why I love Glenda Larke’s writing so much. It’s always fresh, it’s always different, and her characters don’t act like standard archetypal high fantasy characters. They do crazy things, sometimes the MCs die and new ones come into the forefront. She’s like a less sadistic version of George RR Martin.
This was the start of another very strong series for Larke. I’m looking forward to book 2!
The review "Heart of the Mirage" first appeared on StarlightBookReviews.com.
Most reviews will talk about the novel’s obvious parallels to ancient Rome and their widespread conquest of Europe. Tyr has indeed conquered far and wide, with the unruly Kardiastan being one of their conquests, and there are stark similarities with Tyranian references to baths, etc. While this bothered some people, it didn’t really bother me. The “strong nation conquers many weak nations” archetype is very, very common in fantasy, and I felt it was well-done in Heart of the Mirage. Kardiastan wasn’t some faceless, mindless conquered nation. Many of the places where Rome conquered, they inserted their own buildings and troops, like they did in Kardiastan, but unlike those places, Kardiastan refused to be assimilated. Their people didn’t give up their language, style or identity, and clearly have a kind of Underground Railroad effort going to get escaped Kardi slaves to freedom in the Mirage. Their rebellion is fraught with a quiet, stealthy defiance that I enjoyed reading about.
As always, Larke’s characters are highly flawed, often selfish, but ultimately still likeable. At the start of Heart of the Mirage, Ligea was stuck up, blind and willfully ignorant of the evils of the empire and her own contribution to their poor treatment of the conquered. Because of her Kardi heritage, she’s sent to Kardiastan to uncover a rebel leader who is supposed to have been dead. She and her former slave, Brand, go undercover as escaped slaves and quite by accident, Ligea finds (and has relations with) the rebel leader, Tem. She is torn between her loyalty to the Tyranian general who raised her and the struggles of the Kardi group, including the kindness and charisma of Tem. There’s also Brand, the slave obviously in love with his mistress, and she’s got some undefined feelings for him and you just wonder what will happen. Brand is quiet, intense and intelligent, a phenomenal secondary character for the selfish, cunning Ligea to go around with. As a now-freed slave, Brand knows firsthand what it’s like for Tyr to wrench his freedom away for no other reason than his youth and inability to defend himself, and he tries to make Ligea understand how WRONG it is for that to happen over and over again, with no one to defend the innocent.
Ligea’s struggle throughout the novel was the driving force. Would she betray the group she’d come to like and even love? Would she betray the empire and help Kardiastan overthrow the yoke of Tyranian tyranny? Continually thoughout Heart of the Mirage, I thought, “This plot point will go like THIS because that is how fantasy novels work.” And then Larke completely turns that plot point on its ear and I was all, “AUGH WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” Even at the end, when Ligea has finally chosen her path, it doesn’t work in the way you expect, or the way I wanted. The end is happy but it’s not a happy ending. And that’s why I love Glenda Larke’s writing so much. It’s always fresh, it’s always different, and her characters don’t act like standard archetypal high fantasy characters. They do crazy things, sometimes the MCs die and new ones come into the forefront. She’s like a less sadistic version of George RR Martin.
This was the start of another very strong series for Larke. I’m looking forward to book 2!
The review "Heart of the Mirage" first appeared on StarlightBookReviews.com.
ashybear02's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I have a lot of thoughts about this book that I hope to get down here. The first being that overall I enjoyed this book. It is the first time reading Glenda Larke and I was pleasantly thrilled throughout most of it. I haven't read much fantasy in the last year, so getting back into that felt good.
I admit that this book had a lot of cliches and was fairly predictable regarding what direction it was heading. I mean, the book description pretty much explains what happens. There were not really any surprises. Even the revelation of who Ligea truly was, was no surprise when she worked it out for herself.
I admit I was a bit put off by the incestuous nature of the Magor people and actually had dreams about it at night! Though, they in general were an interesting creation and one of the highlights of the book. I enjoyed how their magic was not the traditional magic you'd find in fantasy. In fact, the whole concept of the Mirage was intriguing and really enjoyable to read about.
As for the characters. Well, for the first half of the book I found Ligea naive and a bit dumb considering her reputation for being quite the opposite. It was frustrating how she dismissed everything that was staring her in the face and sadly, I feel this frustration was due more to poor writing on the author's part than feeling frustrated at the character. She did get better at the end of the book, though.
Brand was probably my favourite character who clearly had a good heart and remained loyal regardless of Ligea's stupid actions. I honestly don't know how he managed to tolerate her. He was sweet, gentle and came with a great heart which was enjoyable to read. I need more Brand in the next book! Temellin, of course, had great appeal too. And Haris was sweet, a little naive, but the kind of guy you just want to hug.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and I will gladly pick up number 2 in the series to read to find out what happens.
I admit that this book had a lot of cliches and was fairly predictable regarding what direction it was heading. I mean, the book description pretty much explains what happens. There were not really any surprises. Even the revelation of who Ligea truly was, was no surprise when she worked it out for herself.
I admit I was a bit put off by the incestuous nature of the Magor people and actually had dreams about it at night! Though, they in general were an interesting creation and one of the highlights of the book. I enjoyed how their magic was not the traditional magic you'd find in fantasy. In fact, the whole concept of the Mirage was intriguing and really enjoyable to read about.
As for the characters. Well, for the first half of the book I found Ligea naive and a bit dumb considering her reputation for being quite the opposite. It was frustrating how she dismissed everything that was staring her in the face and sadly, I feel this frustration was due more to poor writing on the author's part than feeling frustrated at the character. She did get better at the end of the book, though.
Brand was probably my favourite character who clearly had a good heart and remained loyal regardless of Ligea's stupid actions. I honestly don't know how he managed to tolerate her. He was sweet, gentle and came with a great heart which was enjoyable to read. I need more Brand in the next book! Temellin, of course, had great appeal too. And Haris was sweet, a little naive, but the kind of guy you just want to hug.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and I will gladly pick up number 2 in the series to read to find out what happens.
marktimmony's review against another edition
4.0
One of the things that excites me about a writer is when life philosophies - whether the author’s own or not – and personal wisdom, insightful commentaries and generosity (or even meaness) of spirit is fleshed out in distinctive characterisation that has the story, as well as the characters, leaping off the page. Coupled with an amazingly vivid world that has been painstakingly constructed, yet is expressed with such ease that it never overwhelms, but rather creeps up on you, Larke has granted the reader a near-perfect escape into a breathtaking adventure.
Heart of the Mirage is so real, your pulse will race and your breath catch as nail-biting tension and hard-hitting action abound, giving you a book that takes hold of your heart and mind.
Set in an empire that spans the known world, the Exaltarch rules Tyr with an iron fist of devastating military might and socially unjust laws that are hidden behind the veil of ‘civilisation’. Among the Empire’s many enforcers, none are more feared than the secretive Brotherhood, a legion of spies and interrogators whose word is law.
Ligea Gayed is one of the Brotherhood’s most successful agents. Though not a native Tyran by birth, she has lived a privileged life as the adopted daughter of the Empire’s most celebrated General. In a world ruled by men, she has left behind a legion of enemies because she is an educated woman, a foreigner and has a preternatural ability to always know when she hears a lie. Having been crafted unknowingly, by both her father and the Exaltarch, as a secret weapon of retribution for their most humiliating military defeat, she is sent to her native homeland of Kardiastan to find a rebel leader and bring him to Imperial justice and in so doing, betray her native heritage. But the long sands of the Kardiastan Shiver Barrens hold many secrets and ancient powers and a separate destiny awaits her that has little to do with the honour of the Tyranian Empire.
Larke has composed a compelling tale of duty, honour and redemption set in a Byzantine empire filled with betrayal, passion and greed. There are only a few Australian writers, I believe, that can stand up against the big international ‘name’ authors. And yes, by now I have reviewed at least one book by each. So let me add Ms Larke to that illustrious, but short, list. To my mind, Larke’s self-assurance, insight and guts - much in the traditon of Robin Hobb, Carol Berg and even Elizabeth Moon - firmly places her on the list as one of the very best Australian writers of fantasy fiction.
Heart of the Mirage is so real, your pulse will race and your breath catch as nail-biting tension and hard-hitting action abound, giving you a book that takes hold of your heart and mind.
Set in an empire that spans the known world, the Exaltarch rules Tyr with an iron fist of devastating military might and socially unjust laws that are hidden behind the veil of ‘civilisation’. Among the Empire’s many enforcers, none are more feared than the secretive Brotherhood, a legion of spies and interrogators whose word is law.
Ligea Gayed is one of the Brotherhood’s most successful agents. Though not a native Tyran by birth, she has lived a privileged life as the adopted daughter of the Empire’s most celebrated General. In a world ruled by men, she has left behind a legion of enemies because she is an educated woman, a foreigner and has a preternatural ability to always know when she hears a lie. Having been crafted unknowingly, by both her father and the Exaltarch, as a secret weapon of retribution for their most humiliating military defeat, she is sent to her native homeland of Kardiastan to find a rebel leader and bring him to Imperial justice and in so doing, betray her native heritage. But the long sands of the Kardiastan Shiver Barrens hold many secrets and ancient powers and a separate destiny awaits her that has little to do with the honour of the Tyranian Empire.
Larke has composed a compelling tale of duty, honour and redemption set in a Byzantine empire filled with betrayal, passion and greed. There are only a few Australian writers, I believe, that can stand up against the big international ‘name’ authors. And yes, by now I have reviewed at least one book by each. So let me add Ms Larke to that illustrious, but short, list. To my mind, Larke’s self-assurance, insight and guts - much in the traditon of Robin Hobb, Carol Berg and even Elizabeth Moon - firmly places her on the list as one of the very best Australian writers of fantasy fiction.
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