The Obsidian Tower
by Melissa Caruso
Recommend
Ryx’s magic is considered broken, useless. She must always hold her powers in check and endure the pain of her family’s insults and contempt. Yet, she is the only one able to make a stand when her family’s long locked away artifact is awakened. She is more scared than she’s ever been, but she might be brave enough to face the challenge.
The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso is a political and mystery based high fantasy. It isn’t as complex or intense as other political based fantasies like the series A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R Martin, but it does have the main character trying to balance several nations that are on the verge of invading her home. It also has large elements of mystery that contributes to the political problems. The artifact that is awakened was a closely guarded secret, even to the family that guarded it, so no one knows exactly what the artifact is. Throughout the story, Ryx with some recruited help, is searching for answers, juggling visiting emissaries, and trying to manage the problems her broken magic causes her. It definitely keeps the reader constantly wondering where the story will lead next and how things will work out.
The book is written in first person, so we are very close to Ryx, the main character. I really like Ryx. She is someone who has never had an easy life, but doesn’t allow herself to be brought down. She’s a very internally strong person with a large heart and lots of compassion. No matter what new revelations happen or how hostile the opposing countries get, she is always able to come up with a solution. Ryx never wavers in her morals or allows herself to be manipulated. Overall, I really enjoyed having Ryx as the narrator and our eyes into the story. I found her to be very relatable with many layers to her personality.
I also really like how Caruso openly incorporated characters from the LGBTQ spectrum. The main character and many side characters are revealed to be homosexual, bisexual, or to not identify with a particular gender. This is an element I haven’t seen in many high fantasy stories that I’ve read. It is refreshing how casually these elements are revealed and the positive view it is depicted in.
The only real negative I found was a lack of character development on some of the secondary characters. With the political based storyline, there are a lot of players and secondary characters. Some of them are given time and development throughout his or her interactions with Ryx. Some of them don’t get the same depth and time, so the reader knows less about them even with an active role in the plot. I wish Caruso had been able to spend more time with all the active supporting characters. Considering this is the first of a series, however, we might see more development in future books.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this book. It is a fairly light read with an interesting plot. I haven’t read many political intrigue type books, so it was refreshing to read something different. I also really enjoy mysteries and mystery elements which added to my enjoyment of the story. I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
Pros
- LGTBQ elements
- Engaging first person narration
- Engaging mystery
Cons
- Some side characters are less developed
- Occasionally slow/ repetitive elements
Recommended for those who like:
- High Fantasy
- First person narration
- Political or mystery based storylines
- Simple writing style
Book Details:
- Published: June 4, 2020
- Series: Rooks and Ruin
- Book Number: 1
- Pages: 448
- Publisher: Orbit
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