Master of Crowd by Grace Draven
Released: July 13, 2009
Fantasy Romance
Amber Quill Press
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “You have done an unwise thing, Martise of Asher,” he said softly. “You’ve caught my interest.”
This book has been recommended by many (including Has and Angela – and someone on my blog who I can’t remember, sorry!) I recently finished Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier (and loved) so I was in the mood for another fantasy book. Let me warn and say – the first chapter or two of this book I was a little lost – I was unsure what was happening to the hero and how exactly the heroine was going to play into everything. But as I continued, it all fell into place, and a really great and sensual romance and story develops.
Silhara is called The Master of Crows, living in a ruined estate called Neith. He is a renegade sorcerer, refusing to join or play by the Conclave’s rules. Silhara is a loner, only having his devoted servant Gurn as a companion. And while he might be a recluse, his arrogance is mighty.
He seemed a man born to rule – if not a country than certainly a fiefdom, a dale. His behavior toward Cumbria was insolent, as if he considered himself not only the bishop’s equal, but his superior. In her experience, only those born of noble stock and to great wealth displayed that conduct. Martise despised such people.
But recently his days have been filled with other thoughts. The god called Corruption has chosen Silhara as his avatar, and is now invading his dreams and thoughts, demanding obedience. Silhara does not want to be…corrupted, and even though he has great power, he doesn’t know how to kill a God. He asks the Conclave for an intern of sorts, a scribe, to help translate old text to see if an answer lies in his extensive library. The Conclave sends a girl named Martise.
As much as Silhara despised the idea, he needed Conclave’s help. Nothing was immune to destruction, not even a god. The priests returned his contempt in full measure, but they might each use the other in the common goal of defeating Corruption. Conclave was known to turn a blind eye to crow mages and their forbidden arts if such practices aided them. Silhara wanted one of Conclave’s novitiates, a cleric-scribe versed in acient tome, one with knowledge of forgotten and arcane languages. Killing a god required magic far older and much darker than a Conclave ritual, and such knowledge was often buried in dead languages or ancient scrolls. Conclave had its strictures, but its scribes were unmatched in their skills for translations.
Martise is a slave of the Conclave. She has a magic ability, but it has never surfaced, so she doesnt’ know what it encompasses. The Conclave wants her to spy on Silhara. They are very wary of Silhara and his dance with Corruption, and want Martise to find out what is really going on. Martise is plain, and perceived as weak but has an extraordinary memory and can transalte any language. Silhara is at first frustrated with this woman. She is so pale and fragile he doesn’t feel she has any place in his house. Silhara is extremely haughty and insolent and his attitude scares Martise a bit – but as she is a slave and this was commanded of her, she bites her tongue and offers guidance anyway she can. At first these two butt heads but soon Silhara realizes just how smart and witty Martise can be, and as Martise learns of Shilhara’s true nature, a romance develops that made me smile through the pages.
“You don’t like oranges?” He sounded more curious and amused than offended. “My grove produces some of the sweetest.”
“You don’t seem like a farmer,” she said, failing to keep the doubt out of her voice. She still found the idea strange – this mage, notorious for snubbing the Conclave and delving in the dark arcana, pursuing a livelihood so mundane and laborious.
Hi eyes widened. Even Gurn paused in drinking his tea.
“It’s how I keep us fed and this hulk from crumbling around us.” Sarcasm sharpened his tongue. “What? Did you think I lounded on my couch all day, reading tome and muttering incantations while Gurn fed me grapes?”
She knew better. Twenty-two years of servitude should have kept her silent, made her apologize for her impertinence, but some small demon goaded her to respond in a like manner, despite her upbringing and every instinct warning her otherwise.
“It would explain the dust.”
As I mentioned, the fantasy aspect of this book takes a bit to settle in – it can be confusing at first. But you soon learn Silhara is a man fighting the god corruption – he is a man born to a whore but now with great power. He lives hidden away, a loner. When Martise comes into his life, even though she isn’t loud and brash, she makes her appearance known. She makes quick friends with Gurn, Silhara’s beloved servant, and their friendship allows Silhara to realize maybe he can trust this girl.
This book has everything I like in a fantasy – a dark, magic filled world with really bad guys and a hero who could be bad or good – you aren’t really sure. A heroine with surprising strength and wit. A romance that is strong and sensual and unwanted but keeps picking up strength until the two of them must give in. Silhara is so haughty that when he is brought down, it can be quite amusing to watch. Two very rich and complex characters. The author also does a really nice job with describing the setting – I could picture each scene vividly. I was very impressed.
Really enjoyed this – I recommend.
Rating: B+
I see I’m going to have to try this book again. Great review, Mandi.
I just finished this book a few days ago and I also thought it quite good. The relationship between Martise, Silhara, and even the servant Gurn was very well done. It was the fantasy elements that were more confusing. Strong character development swept the grade of this book upward for me.