InsaneJournal

Oracle's Queen, Lynn Flewelling

This was a reread. I love this book. It's right up there with Lord of the Rings and Luck in the Shadows. However, oddly I also find this one of the most distressing books to read. The decline of Korin and his horrible death, the growing anger of brother, Nyrn controlling Korin's wife, and then of course the choices the companions have to make. Especially Caliel, who remains loyal until the end, despite everything. I am always very upset at the death of Porion, despite his being such a minor character, especially when he admits to Ki that he doesn't want to fight. Such is the burden of serving a mad king.

That is not the worst of it, though. It is not the madness or the death of the turning of friends on friends that makes me cry at the end. It's Arkoniel's letter at the end. I'm always crushed that Tharin will be forgotten.

Wierd, huh?

I love Tharin. He's a wonderful, kind, loyal character. And although I know he prefers to fade into the background (a noble, me?) and would probably rather be forgotton, in the end, I still get very upset. Perhaps because Arkoniel's letter kills them all, in a way. Although none fell in battle that we know of, and assassination is pretty unlikely, the idea that Tharin (and Nikides too, actually) have all their sacrifices forgotten is very sad. Readers, I sobbed.

An imaginary loss in imaginary history. I am such a dork.