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A review by rogiercaprino
The Virtu by Sarah Monette
5.0
Meduse, this world we're in grows bigger this time around. You already feel how big it was in Melusine but the magic system, the wizarding school of thoughts and the politics are seen more clearly . The sequel is a traveling fantasy book as was it's predecessor. This time time traveling back to Melusine to mend the Virtu and letting our characters heal , fall and heal again along the way physically and metaphorically. We meet new characters, old ones and the hideous monster of a man returns.
The touchstones of magic and the wizardry school of thoughts are introduced in book 1 but not a lot if explained and you figure some out by context. Monette gradually explains the magic in the second one. The way different academic ways of study conflict in our society so do they as well with the Meduse. These are wizards who follow different theories of magic in a very scholarly way. I loved reading about these theories as Felix inevitably tries to get a grasp on each new concept of magic he comes across. The book show some knowledge is forgotten by time or destroyed on purpose. And why the series title is Doctrine of Labyrinths becomes known. I've never read about a magic system using mazes and labyrinths and this was so interesting to read. I loved how the magic was shown to be academic . I also loved learning about Felix ' connection with the dream realm and how it strengthened with the help of wizard he has grown close to and call friend. This mentoring and interacting is only possible in this realm because of his mentor 's state in the waking world. He is a huge part with the way Felix changes as a person for the better.
The sequel begins a few weeks after the occurrences in Melusine. We meet Mildmay and Felix again in the Gardens of Nephele. That magical order healed Felix from the magical trauma and mind . They care for each other and their brotherly bond grows stronger but it remains strained because even after year on the road Mildmay and Felix still know so little of each other. And Felix being selfish wizard with a huge ego doesn't help. Felix was often surprised to see Mildmay angry. Come on dude your at fault most of the time. You are really a more selfish, cruel and egotistical Howl lol. But I love how Felix shows more in actions and words how much he cares for Mildmay and the small group of loved ones trough out this book. But I know he'll screw it up somehow . Society in the garden , in Melusine and everwhere else sees Mildmay only as a thug. Felix doesn't understand how this hurts Mildmay. And the tension remains through out the book.
On their travel back home they meet known people, rescue some and fight others. We meet new characters of which Mehitabel is probably the biggest. She's an actress turned governess also running from her past, what we don't know yet when we meet her. I really appreciate how Mehitabel sees Mildmay as a person and not the scar faced thug most see. I admire how she doesn't make fun of Mildmay , which makes her the exact opposite of Felix's thoughtlessly cruel conversations with Mildmay.
She tries to be a proper friend towards Mildmay and notices the subtle changes that occur between Felix and Mildmay on the way home in ways others don’t. Mildmay needed someone desperately needed a friend like her that worries about him and doesn’t want to see him trod on by other people. She respects Mildmay more than he respects himself. She not afraid stand on even footing with strong characters and imposing figures Felix. He's said to unnaturally tall - I picture a 7 feet tall gorgeous redhaired man with brilliant arm and hand tattoos
But without Mildmay the story wouldn't have happened and he's the glue with these group of people. He's not as talented as Mehitabel to influence people with her acting or charming and does not have a presence like Felix. Mildmay is freaking intelligent , what he needs to believe he is. He's so funny with his dry wit , he's caring and loves the people he loves immensely. No other person would go to go underground into the ruins of an ancient death cult to rescue a rich young boy they met in their travels and no one would travel with a half-mad Felix , he just met, to the Gardens of Nephele . What Felix saw in a dream. Who knows if it would exist and were to find it. He trusted Felix to find the way in his half-mad state. Mildmay has seen so many friends burned to dead, get murdered or die in someway. I enjoy seeing his worldviews through his beautiful green eyes and dangit love him so much. The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other. And I hope Felix shows Mildmay how deeply he cares, that huge ego is in the way. Just show it you silly.
The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other.
I can't wait to follow these brothers in the two concluding novels.
The touchstones of magic and the wizardry school of thoughts are introduced in book 1 but not a lot if explained and you figure some out by context. Monette gradually explains the magic in the second one. The way different academic ways of study conflict in our society so do they as well with the Meduse. These are wizards who follow different theories of magic in a very scholarly way. I loved reading about these theories as Felix inevitably tries to get a grasp on each new concept of magic he comes across. The book show some knowledge is forgotten by time or destroyed on purpose. And why the series title is Doctrine of Labyrinths becomes known. I've never read about a magic system using mazes and labyrinths and this was so interesting to read. I loved how the magic was shown to be academic . I also loved learning about Felix ' connection with the dream realm and how it strengthened with the help of wizard he has grown close to and call friend. This mentoring and interacting is only possible in this realm because of his mentor 's state in the waking world. He is a huge part with the way Felix changes as a person for the better.
The sequel begins a few weeks after the occurrences in Melusine. We meet Mildmay and Felix again in the Gardens of Nephele. That magical order healed Felix from the magical trauma and mind . They care for each other and their brotherly bond grows stronger but it remains strained because even after year on the road Mildmay and Felix still know so little of each other. And Felix being selfish wizard with a huge ego doesn't help. Felix was often surprised to see Mildmay angry. Come on dude your at fault most of the time. You are really a more selfish, cruel and egotistical Howl lol. But I love how Felix shows more in actions and words how much he cares for Mildmay and the small group of loved ones trough out this book. But I know he'll screw it up somehow . Society in the garden , in Melusine and everwhere else sees Mildmay only as a thug. Felix doesn't understand how this hurts Mildmay. And the tension remains through out the book.
On their travel back home they meet known people, rescue some and fight others. We meet new characters of which Mehitabel is probably the biggest. She's an actress turned governess also running from her past, what we don't know yet when we meet her. I really appreciate how Mehitabel sees Mildmay as a person and not the scar faced thug most see. I admire how she doesn't make fun of Mildmay , which makes her the exact opposite of Felix's thoughtlessly cruel conversations with Mildmay.
She tries to be a proper friend towards Mildmay and notices the subtle changes that occur between Felix and Mildmay on the way home in ways others don’t. Mildmay needed someone desperately needed a friend like her that worries about him and doesn’t want to see him trod on by other people. She respects Mildmay more than he respects himself. She not afraid stand on even footing with strong characters and imposing figures Felix. He's said to unnaturally tall - I picture a 7 feet tall gorgeous redhaired man with brilliant arm and hand tattoos
But without Mildmay the story wouldn't have happened and he's the glue with these group of people. He's not as talented as Mehitabel to influence people with her acting or charming and does not have a presence like Felix. Mildmay is freaking intelligent , what he needs to believe he is. He's so funny with his dry wit , he's caring and loves the people he loves immensely. No other person would go to go underground into the ruins of an ancient death cult to rescue a rich young boy they met in their travels and no one would travel with a half-mad Felix , he just met, to the Gardens of Nephele . What Felix saw in a dream. Who knows if it would exist and were to find it. He trusted Felix to find the way in his half-mad state. Mildmay has seen so many friends burned to dead, get murdered or die in someway. I enjoy seeing his worldviews through his beautiful green eyes and dangit love him so much. The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other. And I hope Felix shows Mildmay how deeply he cares, that huge ego is in the way. Just show it you silly.
The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other.
I can't wait to follow these brothers in the two concluding novels.