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A review by betharanova
Mélusine by Sarah Monette
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm so glad I gave in and found a copy of this, despite how little I need to own more books.
Melusine follows two protagonists: the mage Felix and the thief Mildmay. They are from very different worlds, despite living in the same titular city. Felix is part of the Mirador, the conglomerate of mages who protect and rule Melusine. He's learned to act and talk like nobility and has ingratiated himself in court, despite (or because of?) his hidden fears and his natural penchant for drama. Mildmay, meanwhile, is a surprisingly well-adjusted burglar for hire. He works; he dates; he traverses the seedier parts of the city with professional ease. All that comes crashing down very quickly when Felix is viciously used to destroy the very core of the Mirador. Felix breaks. The city spirals into a panic. And Mildmay is drawn into a scheme to find the mad wizard who attacked Melusine.
I've read a few of this author's books before, which helped prepare me for the pace. There's mystery to be explored, not only in untangling the plot, but in discovering the characters and the world. And that's what the narrative does: it explores. It ambles, sometimes, enjoying the stroll through the scenes. And I enjoyed it too! I enjoyed being there, picking up worldbuilding tidbits the way you idly pick flowers. There was always something new and strange, but it never felt like it didn't fit. I loved being there with the characters.
Fan favorite Mildmay was also my favorite. In many ways, he's a good man; in the ways he's not, he isn't shy about it. He's practical, smart, and compelling. Felix was intriguing and sympathetic. And he's an asshole, which was a delight. My complaint there is that when I say he broke, I mean he broke, and early on at that. You hardly get a chance to be familiar with sane Felix. In his more lucid moments, when he talks about his personality before his madness, you really have to take him at his word. Both of them have interesting voices, strong opinions, and some absolutely wild things going on. It's so rewarding when those viewpoints start clashing and bouncing off one another. By the end, I was screaming with emotion.
This book is also, as they say, Le Problematique. It's so weird. I love it. If you can think of something off-putting, it's in here. And it IS off-putting. But it inspires one to whisper tenderly, "Bruv, what the hell is wrong with you," and keep reading.
Melusine follows two protagonists: the mage Felix and the thief Mildmay. They are from very different worlds, despite living in the same titular city. Felix is part of the Mirador, the conglomerate of mages who protect and rule Melusine. He's learned to act and talk like nobility and has ingratiated himself in court, despite (or because of?) his hidden fears and his natural penchant for drama. Mildmay, meanwhile, is a surprisingly well-adjusted burglar for hire. He works; he dates; he traverses the seedier parts of the city with professional ease. All that comes crashing down very quickly when Felix is viciously used to destroy the very core of the Mirador. Felix breaks. The city spirals into a panic. And Mildmay is drawn into a scheme to find the mad wizard who attacked Melusine.
I've read a few of this author's books before, which helped prepare me for the pace. There's mystery to be explored, not only in untangling the plot, but in discovering the characters and the world. And that's what the narrative does: it explores. It ambles, sometimes, enjoying the stroll through the scenes. And I enjoyed it too! I enjoyed being there, picking up worldbuilding tidbits the way you idly pick flowers. There was always something new and strange, but it never felt like it didn't fit. I loved being there with the characters.
Fan favorite Mildmay was also my favorite. In many ways, he's a good man; in the ways he's not, he isn't shy about it. He's practical, smart, and compelling. Felix was intriguing and sympathetic. And he's an asshole, which was a delight. My complaint there is that when I say he broke, I mean he broke, and early on at that. You hardly get a chance to be familiar with sane Felix. In his more lucid moments, when he talks about his personality before his madness, you really have to take him at his word. Both of them have interesting voices, strong opinions, and some absolutely wild things going on. It's so rewarding when those viewpoints start clashing and bouncing off one another. By the end, I was screaming with emotion.
This book is also, as they say, Le Problematique. It's so weird. I love it. If you can think of something off-putting, it's in here. And it IS off-putting. But it inspires one to whisper tenderly, "Bruv, what the hell is wrong with you," and keep reading.