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gnashchick 's review for:
The Spirit Ring
by Lois McMaster Bujold
I liked this book just fine. I'm on a bit of a fantasy binge and got the audio version for listening at work. The story treads well-traveled paths with some interesting tweaks along the way. I liked the elements of sorcery, enchantments, and the gray line between sanctioned and unsanctioned magic as overseen by the Catholic Church. Even the Abbot is a sorcerer, using holy magic to fight back the darkness. The heroine, Fiametta is intelligent and outspoken. Thur, the romantic hero, is brave and handsome, willing to do what he can with what he has to avenge his brother. Of course, Fiametta and Thur are thrown together for a sweet romantic plot.
There are enough references to Italy that the setting and political machinations feel very real. The characters are wonderful. Even the villains have their moments of doubt, betrayal, and triumph. Every major character grows, learns, and changes as they play out their quest to free their city and save the souls of the people they love.
There are enough references to Italy that the setting and political machinations feel very real. The characters are wonderful. Even the villains have their moments of doubt, betrayal, and triumph. Every major character grows, learns, and changes as they play out their quest to free their city and save the souls of the people they love.