The Raven Tower

The Raven Tower
by Ann Leckie
Orbit, 2019, 416 pages, Fantasy

Summoned back to the city of Iraden from the Front, Prince Mawat and his assistant Eolo are stunned to discover that Mawat’s father has fled the city and Mawat’s uncle has claimed the throne. This overthrow is disturbing on its own, but the rulers of Iraden made a bargain with the Raven God long ago. At the end of their lives, the rulers of Iraden must sacrifice themselves to the Raven God in exchange for the Raven’s protection of the city. Since Mawat’s father wasn’t sacrificed, the Raven is no longer protecting Iraden. People are starving, sickness is spreading throughout the land, and Iraden’s enemies are advancing. It’s up to Eolo to figure out what really happened to Mawat’s father before Iraden’s enemies gain enough power to destroy the city.

Ann Leckie has won awards for her science fiction writing, but I think this, her first foray into fantasy writing, is even better. The Raven Tower feels new and fresh even though it’s basically a well-done fantasy retelling of Hamlet.

The novel switches perspectives, telling the current story of Iraden from Eolo’s point of view, and telling the history of Iraden from the point of view of a nameless stone god who is much older than the Raven. The god’s narrative was especially compelling to me since it’s written as if the god is trying to talk to Eolo directly, which is a narrative style that isn’t usually used. The story ended with a very satisfying conclusion that could lead to a series, or not.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy, Shakespeare retellings, and overall well-written literature.

MB