The Hedgewitch Queen (Romances of Arquitaine, #1 )
Lilith Saintcrow
Vianne di Rocancheil is a lady waiting at the Court of Arquitaine, where she studies her books, watches for intrigue, and shepherds her foolhardy Princesse through the glittering whirl. Court is a sometimes-unpleasant waltz, especially for the unwary, but Vianne treads its measured steps well. Unfortunately, the dance has changed. Treachery is afoot in gilded and velvet halls. A sorcerous conspiracy is unleashed, with blood, death, and warfare close behind. Vianne must flee, carrying the Great Seal of Arquitaine with her. This is the one thing the conspirators need to rule, and they won’t rest until they have it. A life of dances, intrigues, and fashion has not prepared Vianne for this. Nor has it prepared her for Tristan d’Arcenne, Captain of the King’s Guard and player in the most dangerous games conspiracy can devise. Yet to save her country and avenge her Princesse, Vianne will become what she must and do whatever is required. A Queen can do no less.
Publication Year: 2011
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0 0After an auspicious start, I hit a rough patch at about 25%. The heroine is having a break down, and it's most unpleasant going along for the ride through her narration. From sensible and strong and loyal, Vianne becomes irrational, self-damaging, and ridiculous. She won't eat, and her doubts would be comical if they weren't so damn repetitive and annoying, and unfortunately, are associated more with the sad "heroine doesn't know she's beautiful" trope than any more interesting character growth. I think the author assumed that the readers would enjoy thinking "Vianne just doesn't realize how *awesome* she is", but that just adds a layer of Mary Sue annoyance on top of her endless doubts, self-flagilation, and martyrdom. I find myself rolling my eyes and flipping pages faster.
43% - One step forward, two steps back... Vianne has little *glimpses* of awareness of Tristan's feelings or of her own capabilities (i.e. - of REALITY) , but still spends most of her time, energy, and narration on ridiculous plots to run away and martyr herself to rescue everyone else. Freaking ridiculous.
60% - Vianne has some alone time, huzzah! With no one around to martyr herself for, those glimmers of relience and self-sufficiency have come back.
Ok, by book's end I was excited again. Vianne's self-flagilation had wound down to a minimum. I bought book two prior to even starting book one (they were on sale), and I'm worried about starting the cycle all over again. This book reminded me strongly of FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK and SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN... but only insofar as I wished I was reading those other books, not this one. This series may be dead in the water, though I'll at least give book two a try.
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