Book Review Odalisque
I just finished Odalisque by Fiona McIntosh today. I finished my accounting test this morning (I took a day off work), and I borrowed the book. It sort of caught my eye last week, but I didnt bring my library card then. I've read her first series of books before (back when I was in High School). It was recommended a lot by my friends back then.
Anyway. The opening chapter is set quite a few years before the main story; of how a foreign man (Lazar) captured for slavery fights his way to become the Spur- one who trains the Zar's men to fight. This is somewhat disconnected to the rest of the story- sort of like a prologue.
The story is actually centered around Ana, a girl who joins the harem as an odalisque, and her relationship with Lazar. I actually looked this up, and an odalisque is not actually a concubine, but something lower, who could become one. The first half of the book is dedicated in introducing all the main characters and their relationships with each other; Herezah, the ambitious wife of the old Zar; Boaz, her son and now Zar; Pez, a dwarfed man who acts like he's a fool; the Head Eunich (forgot his name), another ambitious character...
Anyway, this first book of the series is more on character development, with a few foreshadowings of a God conflict. Having read Fiona McIntosh's other books, I can see some similarities between the characters, and so I hope that the storyline will not be too predictable (I have could not bring myself to read the last book in Sara Douglass's series; the Troy Game, because I was spoiled by a friend and the ending was just as I thought).
I rather like Herezah as a character. She seems quite more coloured for me than most of the other characters. I don't mind heroines that are innocent and perfect in every way as long as there is a character like Herezah around. Pez is an interesting male character, but Lazar is pretty bland. An fantastic looking guy who is unrivalled in sword fighting skills. Okay, okay, I like characters like that... anyway, his history is interesting too.
Spoiler*****
I sense a revival.....
Haha. IF you havent read it yet, the spoiler will make no sense at all, and besides, it is my personal opinion (though based on past experience from reading Fiona's books). i don't usually follow authors, because some of the characters and storylines reoccur (for better or worse). Take Jodi Picoult for example. All her books have a twist at the end, and most of them have a trial. The first book I read was My Sister's Keeper, and I loved it. The next few were enjoyable, but the "twists" were becoming repetitive.
Ahh well, I liked the change in scenery for Odalisque anyway. It gave me a few ideas of my own. I think its a good thing when reading a book makes you think- what if? - kindof, anyway.
Anyway, thats my post for now. I think I will read the next book when it comes out in October next month.
Anyway. The opening chapter is set quite a few years before the main story; of how a foreign man (Lazar) captured for slavery fights his way to become the Spur- one who trains the Zar's men to fight. This is somewhat disconnected to the rest of the story- sort of like a prologue.
The story is actually centered around Ana, a girl who joins the harem as an odalisque, and her relationship with Lazar. I actually looked this up, and an odalisque is not actually a concubine, but something lower, who could become one. The first half of the book is dedicated in introducing all the main characters and their relationships with each other; Herezah, the ambitious wife of the old Zar; Boaz, her son and now Zar; Pez, a dwarfed man who acts like he's a fool; the Head Eunich (forgot his name), another ambitious character...
Anyway, this first book of the series is more on character development, with a few foreshadowings of a God conflict. Having read Fiona McIntosh's other books, I can see some similarities between the characters, and so I hope that the storyline will not be too predictable (I have could not bring myself to read the last book in Sara Douglass's series; the Troy Game, because I was spoiled by a friend and the ending was just as I thought).
I rather like Herezah as a character. She seems quite more coloured for me than most of the other characters. I don't mind heroines that are innocent and perfect in every way as long as there is a character like Herezah around. Pez is an interesting male character, but Lazar is pretty bland. An fantastic looking guy who is unrivalled in sword fighting skills. Okay, okay, I like characters like that... anyway, his history is interesting too.
Spoiler*****
I sense a revival.....
Haha. IF you havent read it yet, the spoiler will make no sense at all, and besides, it is my personal opinion (though based on past experience from reading Fiona's books). i don't usually follow authors, because some of the characters and storylines reoccur (for better or worse). Take Jodi Picoult for example. All her books have a twist at the end, and most of them have a trial. The first book I read was My Sister's Keeper, and I loved it. The next few were enjoyable, but the "twists" were becoming repetitive.
Ahh well, I liked the change in scenery for Odalisque anyway. It gave me a few ideas of my own. I think its a good thing when reading a book makes you think- what if? - kindof, anyway.
Anyway, thats my post for now. I think I will read the next book when it comes out in October next month.