Oraiáphon - Empire's Legacy 5
Ages: 18+
Can a musician heal, when a physician cannot?
In the aftermath of war, Sorley - Lord Sorley of Gundarstorp - is called upon to be many things: translator, diplomat, advisor to two leaders. The treaty that won peace has brought new danger: a corrupt official with enormous power. The only man whose subtle mind could counter this threat – the man Sorley loves – is dying. His death will leave a woman bereaved, a child fatherless, and a country defenceless. Can Sorley’s music convince the gods to save a life – and if so, at what cost?
Reviews
The fantasy world that Thorpe has created is ambitious, but it is also incredibly vivid and real in the telling. This is a world where a reader can lose themselves in and time no longer seems to matter. All that matters is the story. All that matters are these characters. Thorpe tells this story with an impressive sweep and brilliance, which makes Oraiáphon next to impossible to put down.
I would describe the setting of Thorpe’s world as an alternate ancient Rome & Europe. It’s fantasy, but not quite historical fantasy. Regardless, it’s beautiful writing . . . I am so impressed how Thorpe managed to pack in thought-provoking themes, detailed world-building, crisp and fluid dialogue, and stimulating political drama, seamlessly, into a book not much more than 200 pages. This book is no doubt a slow-burn, and romance takes centre stage, but there is much much more to this book. I found myself eating up this engrossing novella in two afternoons worth of reading.
This is a novella of many things, diplomacy, greed and music, but the greatest one is love. The imagination and construction of this narrative is impressive, and I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
