SPFBO Status: cut
Medium: ebook
Overview (No Spoilers):
Although there’s always been disputes between the general public and those in power, things came to a head two decades ago when a revolution against the Court of White Rose resulted in the country of Muscovy being fractured in two. One side remains fearful of magic, with a heavy police presence used to maintain control. The other side is ruled by Tsar Alexander the Cruel, who’s a powerful warlock, and a covenant of witches. As Alexander’s only heir, Marina has always struggled with her family’s expectations of her, especially after discovering that she’s unable to wield magic. Following a particularly nasty confrontation, Marina escapes to the revolutionist side of Muscovy with her best friend in tow, a Trickster who enjoys living as an orange cat. Five years later, she’s content with her current life as a seamstress, living under an alias. And yet, life has other plans for her as Marina finds herself on a path filled with death and destruction. Where can she go and who can she turn to in the face of this next wave of war?
Released in May 2023, Warlock of Muscovy is the first book in the Sun War Trilogy by Brien Feathers. It’s a historical, dark fantasy that draws inspiration from Slavic folklore, examining political and societal upheaval against a magical backdrop. Another way Feathers immerses the reader in this setting is by regularly weaving Russian words into the story (with enough context that one won’t be tripped up without a direct translation). Be aware, however, there is a content warning attached to this tale for strong language, graphic violence, and intimate situations. All told, this world feels gritty, with a tone that’s reminiscent of previous SPFBO finalist Norylska Groans. Although Warlock of Muscovy is on the shorter side, the characters feel complex and complete, the story is engaging, and the world is expansive. My hope is for the remaining books in this series to delve deeper into the history and culture of the different Courts and their magical abilities.
Interestingly enough, we begin this adventure at the end, so the reader has an idea of what the outcome is but doesn’t know how we got there or when disaster strikes, allowing Feathers to capitalize on mounting dread as she walks you through what transpired. This story starts off slowly, getting to know Marina and what her life is like in a heavily-governed society reliant on alchemist technology for everyday tasks such as transportation and electricity, until an explosion at a nearby factory sets everything in motion. From then on, Feathers steadily cranks up the mayhem and magic found on each page, resulting in the death of many, friends and foes. Once the reader is caught up, however, Feathers repeats most of the first chapter verbatim in a way that feels like déjà vu. After uncovering family secrets and a prophecy that has yet to play out, it’ll be interesting to see how Marina finds her footing as this fight expands to new locales and new Courts.
Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound!):
- How does Connor Einhart know who Marina really is? How did the Governor figure it out? Does Connor continue to follow Marina because he thinks she’s behind the FA-26 fiasco at Celestial? Is she actually the one who activated the FA-26? Did the alchemist machine react in response to her emotions?
- The revolutionists are accepting of alchemists’ inventions despite alchemy being its own form of magic that is developed by Architects. Is this because the mundane are able to wield those machines on their own?
- Considering Marina wholeheartedly believes that she’s mundane, did she never question whether others were similarly affected by alchemist technology? Did she consider it normal to recognize an alchemy circle before the destruction in Volosk? How did she know what it was?
- Was the Alchemist Federation actually trying to poison the Tsar’s side of Muscovy or was it a side effect of improper waste management? Why do they need Uranium deposits?
- It’s noted that foreign lands have different magic than that found in Muscovy. What’s different about it? Do they utilize different elements, just have different abilities, or use different techniques for their light and dark magic? Do they call upon help from different gods?
- Why isn’t Ekaterina able to compel Yuri? Is it because he’s a witch as well? Can you only compel someone who’s mundane? I thought it had to do with whether or not you descended from the Razumov bloodline.
- Is Marina the “daughter of darkness” from the seer’s vision? Which Einhart is supposedly her birth father? If she’s not of Alexander’s bloodline, why isn’t he able to compel her? If Einhart males are the ones who can interact with alchemy, why is Marina also able to?
- Why did Alexander kill his brother? Did it have to do with differing visions for ending the Sun War?
- Does Yuri survive his wounds?
- What did Elya see happening in the future that she wanted to prevent Marina from being born?
- Is Ereanor Reiko the same person that’s brought before Yuri at the start of the book? Since Yumjan (who I suspect is Ereanor) had been caught around the factory, did she have anything to do with the explosion? Can Ereanor be trusted?
- A miraj helps one mask their appearance, but does that extend to all of the senses beyond sight? Could someone still feel what’s being hidden?
- What happened that Alexander made a vow to the House of Dragon? Is it something that was promised after/because Sai died?
Vocabulary Builder:
Dacha – a Russian country cottage used especially in the summer
Flump – to move or fall suddenly and heavily
Scarper – flee, run away
The Critiquing Chemist 