Title: Fortune’s Fool
Author: Mercedes Lackey
First published March 1, 2007
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780373802661 (ISBN10: 0373802668)
Rating: 3.85
Overview
Catherine Asaro, the Nebula Award-winning author of the Skolian Empire, ventures into the realm of fantasy with The Charmed Sphere. Originally a novella entitled “Moonglow,” this expanded story follows Chime, a young woman living a peaceful life in the village of Jacob’s Vale.
However, her world is turned upside down when she is identified as a powerful mage and summoned to Castle Suncroft for training and marriage to Prince Muller, the reluctant heir to the throne of Aronsdale. As Muller struggles with his distaste for ruling, a neighboring kingdom and an insane mage threaten to destroy Aronsdale.
Asaro weaves a tale of insatiable greed, wild magic, and untamed love that is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable gem.
About the Author
Mercedes was born in Chicago on June 24, 1950. She had a typical childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972.
In the late 1970s, she worked as an artist’s model before venturing into computer programming. Eventually, she landed a job with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
As well as writing fantasy novels, she has penned lyrics for nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company that specializes in science fiction folk music.
“I consider myself a storyteller. My characters are the driving force behind my stories; their reactions to situations shape the plot.
Perhaps that’s why I receive letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-plus. I write song lyrics because I view them as a type of ‘story pill.’ They condense a story to its bare essentials or encapsulate an essential moment in time.
Often, I write a lyric to get to the heart of a critical scene. Once I’ve done so, the scene becomes crystal clear in my mind, and I can express precisely what I want to say.
I also write lyrics because the novels I write are set in a medieval-like world where music is essential. Bards are the primary bearers of news.
When I compose ‘folk music’ for my characters, I enrich my entire world, whether I feature the song in the text or not.
“I began writing because I was bored; now, I’m addicted. I can’t stop writing, and it’s entirely consumed my social life! I write fantasy because I adore it, but I’m meticulous about constructing my fantasy worlds.
I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL (credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic. In my worlds, magic comes at a price, and the magician frequently pays a high one.
I strive to keep my world as authentic as possible. People must deal with mundane problems, like malfunctioning pumps, bugs in their porridge, and complicated love lives, in addition to invading armies and evil magicians.
Even the ‘evil magicians’ aren’t one-dimensional characters. They too, like everyone else, crave cookies in the middle of the night.
“I suppose that, in everything I write, I try to convey Diana Tregarde’s philosophy from the book:
“There’s no single ‘right way.’ The most valuable answers are those you discover for yourself. Leave the world better than you found it.
Love, freedom, and the opportunity to do some good are the things worth living and dying for. If you aren’t prepared to die for the things worth living for, you might as well relinquish your membership in the human race.”
Mercedes also writes under other pseudonyms.
Editoral Review
Mercedes Lackey’s Fortune’s Fool is a gripping and well-crafted addition to the fantasy genre. The novel explores themes of power, politics, betrayal, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Lackey is a prolific author, with over 100 novels to her name, and this book is no exception to her gift for storytelling. Fortune’s Fool is set in a fictional medieval world, where magic is real and present in the lives of the ruling class.
The story follows the life of a young orphan named Marius, who is taken in by a powerful nobleman named Lord Andover. Marius is trained in the art of political intrigue and combat, and he quickly rises through the ranks to become a trusted advisor to Lord Andover.
However, when Marius falls in love with Andover’s daughter, he must navigate treacherous waters to protect her from those who seek to harm her and overthrow her father. Lackey’s writing is both descriptive and immersive, transporting readers to a world filled with knights, castles, and magic.
The characters are complex and well-developed, with Marius serving as a compelling and relatable protagonist. The pacing of the novel is excellent, with enough action and intrigue to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them.
The plot twists and turns are well-executed, and the world-building is detailed enough to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind without feeling too overwhelming. One of the strengths of Fortune’s Fool lies in its exploration of power and politics.
Lackey does an excellent job of showing the corrupting influence of power and how it can manipulate people into betraying those closest to them. The novel also touches on themes of classism and the struggle of those on the margins to find their place in a world that privileges the wealthy and powerful.
These themes feel particularly relevant today, and the book serves as an insightful commentary on current events. Despite its many strengths, there are some limitations to Fortune’s Fool.
Some readers may find the magic system and world-building to be a bit confusing, particularly if they are not familiar with the fantasy genre. Additionally, some of the supporting characters could have benefitted from more development to make their motivations and actions more understandable.
Overall, Fortune’s Fool is a well-crafted and engaging fantasy novel that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The book’s exploration of power, politics, and betrayal feels particularly relevant today, and Lackey’s writing is both descriptive and immersive.
Fans of the author’s work will not be disappointed, and those new to her writing will find a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: Fans of the fantasy genre, particularly those who enjoy political intrigue and complex worlds-building.
