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A review by ergative
The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine. I enjoyed the character dynamics, and I liked the idea of tethering magic-users. I also liked how the primary relationship was a growing friendship and partnership between two women. That sort of buddy-cop dynamic is common with male protagonists, but the very fact that it seems fresh here shows that it is underused with female protagonists. Mama the magnificent politician was great too.
But the interplay between politics and personal stakes really bugged me. Two great nations are on the brink of war, and the way things get resolved depends simply on uncovering the truth? And that magically makes all the other tensions go away? No one proposes that the little girl who acts as a witness in a key moment was coached into lying? No one repudiates the methods of the evildoers while remaining committed to their goals? No one argues that the bad actions were all a false flag operation?
If there's anything the last decade has shown, it's that people on opposite sides of a political debate don't back down just because someone has shown them that they're wrong. I find it unsatisfying and unrealistic when complex international politics hinge on simply showing someone that their opposition is based on a wrong understanding of the state of affairs, as if bringing to light the truth will be enough to make people do the right thing. It doesn't work that way. I can suspend my disbelief for magic and dragons, but this perpetual tendency to act in good faith when making political decisions is a bridge too far.
But the interplay between politics and personal stakes really bugged me. Two great nations are on the brink of war, and the way things get resolved depends simply on uncovering the truth? And that magically makes all the other tensions go away? No one proposes that the little girl who acts as a witness in a key moment was coached into lying? No one repudiates the methods of the evildoers while remaining committed to their goals? No one argues that the bad actions were all a false flag operation?
If there's anything the last decade has shown, it's that people on opposite sides of a political debate don't back down just because someone has shown them that they're wrong. I find it unsatisfying and unrealistic when complex international politics hinge on simply showing someone that their opposition is based on a wrong understanding of the state of affairs, as if bringing to light the truth will be enough to make people do the right thing. It doesn't work that way. I can suspend my disbelief for magic and dragons, but this perpetual tendency to act in good faith when making political decisions is a bridge too far.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping