Review:
Odalisque by Fiona McIntosh
Voyager, 2005
16+ The first in the Percheron series, Odalisque is a fantasy
exploration of life in a palace and its harem. When the Zar dies, Boaz
becomes the new ruler at the age of 15. Treachery and manipulation
abound in the palace and the reader is taken on an exciting trip
through the corridors of power. The characters in this book are all
compelling. There is the mysterious Spur Lazar, hero and head of
security, who brings Ana, an young odalisque to the harem for the young
Zar. Pez is a dwarf jester whose antics fool everyone including
Herezah, Boaz’s mother who aspires to be the power behind the throne
and Salmeo the Grand Master of the Eunuchs. The wicked Vizier poses a
threat to the new Zar when he agrees to the demands of the evil demon
Maliz. When Ana tries to escape the harem in a desperate bid for
freedom, she begins a series of catastrophic events that have
disastrous repercussions for those around her.
The rising of old gods and the battle between the Mother goddess and
Maliz adds suspense to the story. Descriptions of horror, cruelty,
executions, whippings and poison keep the reader on edge and waiting
for the next book in the series.
Themes of forbidden love, magic and betrayal make this an engaging book
for older readers who like fantasy.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007