The Soul Mirror (Collegia Magica #2) by Carol Berg
January 4, 2011
Fantasy
Paperback, 528 Pages
Roc Trade
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I don’t despise you. I don’t pity you….I know you. I see you.”
Anne de Vernase rejoices in that she has no magic. A devoted woman of science, magic has obliterated her family. It has driven her mother mad, condemned her father to death, imprisoned her brother, and killed her younger sister. When Portier de Savin-Duplais, the King’s royal prosecutor, arrives with the missive that she is to serve in Queen Eugenie’s court and her family’s property will be dispossessed, Anne has no choice but to obey. When Anne arrives at court, she sees the rumors of magic and strange hauntings that are surrounding and permeating the town of Merona are true.
Once Anne sets foot into court she finds herself assaulted on all fronts as she tries to separate truth from fiction. No one is as they seem from the elusive damaged Queen and her sinister mage to the bumbling knight errant brother and the King’s new household administrator. Anne has a hard time determining who is her ally and who is her enemy. As Anne seeks the answers to her own concerns; the cause of her sister’s death and the mysterious voice in her head, she will find herself once more drawn into the growing battle between science and magic and this time she will have to make a stand or die.
The Soul Mirror picks up 4 years after The Spirit Lens left off. In The Spirit Lens we see the story unfold through Portier de Savin-Duplais’s eyes while in here narration is in Anne’s voice. And what a voice it is. Ms Berg’s wonderful use of prose makes Anne’s voice irresistible as she takes us on an incredible journey fraught with mystery, suspense, and fantasy. Incredible world building superbly translates the emotions and feelings of Anne and the court as a whole. The overall storyline is quite elegant and lyrical in it’s ebb and flow.
I love a well executed continuation and Ms. Berg definitely delivers on that. She goes a step further here by offering us an intriguing look back at the events and the characters in The Spirit Lens from a different view point and interweaving it into this story; making us wonder the truth of all that happened. Anne and her own recollections and impressions are twisted and reshaped as we learn more of that of what happened and that of the players involved. I will say did find the explanations of the magic(s) involved to be overly elaborate and expounded on to the point of confusion.
Anne is a delightful as a reluctant heroine. Intelligent and courageous as she continuously questions and pushes the envelope in order to get answers to her questions. Smart enough to fear the unknown elements threatening her yet showing an overwhelming yet commendable tenacity in trying to save her family. I found it fascinating that even though she fears magic and believes herself debunk of it- she has no qualms about using it in her quest for justice and answers.
The secondary cast of characters are well developed with vivid personalities that catapult them into the forefront with Anne. Misdirection and deception is the main course these figures set upon. They are neither defined nor regulated to a specific area and you are hard pressed to pin point their role in the story. The uncertainty only adds to the overall appeal of this story.
We see many familiar faces from the previous book. Dante is magnificent as the vengeful and mysterious mage. What has happened to him in these 4 years and where does he stand in his allegiances? Portier is as elusive as ever and I found myself loving him one moment yet hating him the next as Anne tries to pin him down for answers. The humorous and exasperating Ilario provides comic relief as he shows us another side of him as he aids Anne in her investigations.
As we fall down the rabbit hole, hurdling faster and faster towards our finale, I found myself completely engulfed by this book. The resolution of the main conflict is dramatic and awe inspiring. I found myself re reading that section just to re experience the thrill of finding out the truth of all that has happened. The set up is convoluted and extreme and it’s only when we are told safe do we believe it. Even though our storyline is satisfied, Ms. Berg offers up some unanswered questions and situations that help led us into the next book of this series-The Daemon Prism-which releases in 2012.
Even though this could be read as a stand alone I do not recommend it. The overall arc continues from book one and the subtle storyline and character evolution will be lost by not starting with The Spirit Lens. I recommend Ms. Berg’s Collegia Magica series as a must read for those who enjoy a historical themed fantasy with memorable characters, exciting mystery, taunt suspense, and a sprinkling of romance.
Rating: A-
Recent Reviews
Fantasy Book Critic – A+
Bibliophilic Book Blog – 4/5
Goodreads
Collegia Magica
The Spirit Lens
The Soul Mirror
The Daemon Prism – 2012
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Did you review book one as well Tori? Somehow this author rings a bell with me, as in I wanted to check her out. This is the kind of fantasy and prose I LURV to read so on to the wishlist it is :))
Leontine-I've read bk 1 but didn't review it. It's a wonderful fascinating story that really sinks it's claws into you.
Wow, what a fantastic review Tori! I haven't heard of this series before, but I'm definitely going to go and check the first one out. I love when a second book delivers as much as the first one did, and the secondary characters (and Anne too) sound amazing, my favorite types of characters are the ones you just can't define (Barrons, anyone?). Thanks for the recommendation!
Jenny-Thanks. I think you will really like this series. I didn't think I would but it completely memorized me.
Oooooooooooooooooh, I really want to read this series. I like intelligent and courageous heroines, this sounds right up my alley.
Pam-I hope you enjoy. I did.
I read Carol Berg's Lighthouse Duology last year and was completely blown away! It was amazing! I want to read Transformation next, and then work my way up to this series.