Very reminiscent of Guy Gavriel Kay, in a good way: heavy on the politics and people within a slightly fantasy world. ( )

Plot/Themes - 4/5
I loved the ongoing tension here between the brothers who each have no trust to spare, but care about each other without knowing why (Felix doesn't remember his crazy-timez, and Mildmay didn't really interact with the non-crazy Felix until now).
The mythology is actually pretty interesting, with labyrinths and mazes, and I like that nature is acknowledged as being indifferent to human suffering.
Some of the events are a bit too coincidental/plot device-y though, especially that female Troian on the ship, but seeing how there was that whole "prophecy made true" vibe going on, I guess it's to be expected.
The incest-y snippets are starting to emerge and I'm curious as to how that's going to work out, along with Gideon's "treaty" with Felix. It's weird though, that I kinda see the Felix/Mildmay or Felix/Gideon as moving along like one of those romance novels where the guy is an asshole, but the girl keeps going back to them (Beauty and the Beast anyone?)...

Characters - 4.5/5
I liked that Felix knows about his inability to be nice/considerate and his guilt over forcing Mildmay to be the lenient one. That said, I still don't like the way he makes everything out to be about himself, not thinking things through and putting other people (especially Mildmay) in danger. He also seemed to get distracted really easily, making him seem detached to the stuff that goes on around him. Still, at least he finally gathered the guts to smoke Strych.
Then there's Mildmay's resignation in being the one ordered around as he can't say no to Felix (first figuratively, and then literally), as well as his fear that Felix doesn't need/want to associate with him anymore - which disturbingly parallels the Malkar/Felix relationship dynamic. The jealousy and resigned fondness is a little heartbreaking, just as his sense of betrayal and distrust at the end is too.
I liked Mehitabel, even though her story is a bit vague, at least she can be counted on to care about Mildmay when Felix is too self-centered to notice.
Only problem I have is that von Heber and Gideon seem to have entirely new personalities. I liked the old Gideon better, when he wasn't ever so dependent on Felix.

Writing - 3.5/5
I like Felix as a sane narrator much better, he fluctuated a bit much when he's crazy and his character was very inconsistent then. And the bad grammar and repeated phrases are back, though at a more controlled level. Still, Mildmay's snark keeps me happy. ( )

I love this book. I've read it twice now, and I couldn't put it down either time. It's exactly the sort of book I like best: character-based, emotionally charged, and gorgeously written. I could have drowned in it, and I'd have died happy.

The action moves quickly, zipping the reader from scene to scene with the speed of thought. Small details from the first book pay off in a big way. The magical system is inventive and nicely described. The setting is beautifully realized, and Monette shows us how her world works in a logical, organic way that makes sense within the confines of the story. Her grasp of voice, too, is spot-on. The alternating first person points of view continue to work to great effect. As was the case with the first volume in the series, the reader can instantly tell whose perspective is in play at any given time.

The book's biggest strength, though, is its characterization. Monette is stunningly good at showing the reader just who these people are. Absolutely everything herein contributes to the characterization. Every scene, every word, deepens the reader's understanding of these two men and their relationship. That, above all else, is what kept me reading. The tension between them, fueled as it is by assumption and mutual reticence, is a think of beauty. I already knew exactly what would happen, and I was still desperate to see where these two characters would end up at the story's end.

As was the case with Melusine, I'm sure the style isn't for everyone. Some readers may find the alternating perspectives off-putting, and the plot is perhaps a little episodic in places. However, I strongly recommend this to those who enjoy character-based stories. Read Melusine first, though, so you know where these people are coming from.

(I've got a much, much longer review available on my blog, Stella Matutina). ( )

Although a little slower and more difficult for me to get through I did enjoy this continuing story of the wizard, Felix, and his brother, Mildmay the Fox. In this story Felix has decided to return to Melusine with a purpose that will get him back into the good graces of The Lord Protector, such as they were.

Now that Felix has his sanity back it is quite easy to see his faults and vices for what they are, and they are most definitely not pretty. Somehow despite his selfishness and complete obtuseness to his brother's feelings he manages to keep a toehold on being likable. Occasionally this toehold worked loose and if there was anything more aggravating than Felix at his worst, it was Mildmay's acceptance of it. Now that Mildmay has a crippled leg and has lost any hope of regaining his previous vocation of thievery his self-esteem has flown right out the window. Felix is really not very much of a help in this department which causes many moments of wanting to smack him upside the head. Had they not had the good fortune to run into Mehitabel it is hard to say what might have become of Mildmay's character. However, it is precisely the characters’ faults and relationship that kept me interested in the story through the confusing descriptions of wizardry and geography.

Overall I did enjoy the story. I liked Felix for being such an ass (as stupid as that may sound) and Mildmay for being so damnably loyal. Despite the fact that this story seemed to have a finite ending I know that there are at least two more of the series that I will definitely be reading in the future. ( )

(review of this & prequel together) - i like to jokingly refer to this series as the fanfic books, since they are all about gay wizards. i also adored them. melusine is a first novel but absolutely does not feel like one to me (that said, the pacing of the virtu was much tighter; you can see authorial development in play!). the world is well developed and interesting; the characters are immediately likable; in fact, i very quickly adored the protagonists (with all their faults - and believe me, they have faults!) and despised the villains; also spent a lot of time desperately wishing the protagonists would see what they're doing to themselves/each other - a lot of the book revolves around character interaction although that's by no means the overt plot. the magical system is unique and holds together very well, although i would have liked more information about it in general. one particular point that very much impressed me - in the first book, one of the protagonists spends quite a lot of time completely insane. since he's one of the (first-person) narrators, you get the world filtered through his insanity. this is a challenging concept that i think few people would have even attempted, much less pulled off - but monette manages beautifully; the madness is believable (and rather terrifying), and you really feel the character's loneliness and isolation (since no one else sees the world as he does!). there are a couple more books in the series and i'm very much looking forward to reading them. these are far from fluffy, although they don't strike me as the social-commentary type of deep fantasy (e.g. octavia butler, louise marley). i recommend them very highly. ( )