Oraiáphon
A
Novella of The Empire
By
Marian L Thorpe
Can a musician heal,
when a physician cannot? All scáeli’en know the tale of Oraiáphon: how his
music tamed the wildest beasts and charmed the darkest god. Only a fable—until
song becomes Sorley’s last supplication to bring Cillian back from certain death,
for Lena, for their child, and for the country that so desperately needs him.
"Courage
comes in many forms, Sorley, and only men blinded by prejudice and
thoughtlessness think otherwise."
Lord
Sorley had dreamed of becoming a scáeli — a travelling musician, a historian,
the holders and disseminators of deeds and stories. Instead, he had become a
toscaire, an envoy for Linrathe. But his hopes, his dreams no longer matter,
for the man he has loved for years is hovering in that shadowy world between
life and death.
The
doctor has told both Lord Sorley and Lena that Cillian, Major of the Empire and
partner to Lena, will die and that they should prepare themselves. But neither
of them can. Cillian means so much to both of them. They know his life is in the
gods' hands, but they will not give up on him, not while he still breathes.
But,
maybe, if Sorley plays for him, he might just get through to Cillian's fevered
mind that there is something worth fighting for – worth living for. The doctor
may well be losing hope, but Sorely will not. Not yet. Not until that last
breath leaves Cillian's body.
From
the desperation and sorrow that comes when a loved one is dying to the
celebration of a child's birth. Oraiáphon by award-winning author, Marian L
Thorpe is the exciting new instalment in the Empire's Legacy series.
I
absolutely loved every minute of Thorpe's Empire's Legacy series, and I was
very excited when I learnt that Thorpe had written a novella about Lord Sorley.
Within moments of reading, I felt myself being transported back into the world
that I had loved so much — it was as if I had never left. And it was also great
to be back amongst friends, to once again travel with the fantastic characters
that Thorpe depicts with such skill and diligence. Thorpe's crystalline prose
washed over me as I lost myself in the narrative. 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.
Lord
Sorley was a character that always intrigued me, and I was really looking
forward to reading this book from his perspective. Sorley is an incredibly
tortured soul, and he hides a shameful secret, one that he has hidden all of
his life. Sorley comes from a kingdom where the sexual attraction between
members of the same sex is not tolerated. But here, in the Kingdom of the
Western Empire, it is a normal part of everyday life. Sorley struggles with
this new found freedom. He still can't quite believe that his attraction to the
same sex is not forbidden, it is not looked down upon, and no one judges you
for your choices. As long as it is consensual then there is nothing to fear. In
this kingdom, you are free to love as you will — what a contrast to the nation
Sorley came from. It is no wonder that at times, Sorley feels untethered and
somewhat dislocated.
Lord
Sorley's relationship with Cillian is heartbreakingly tragic, as unrequited
love so often is. Sorley is so in love with Cillian. He would do anything for
Cillian, absolutely anything. Sorley knows nothing can come of their
relationship, and he has a loving partner of his own. Druisius is incredibly
understanding of Sorley's feelings, and Duisius is such a caring and wonderful
man that often Sorley feels terribly conflicted. He knows that the love he
feels for Cillian is the love he should feel for Druisius, but what the mind
understands and the heart demands so often conflict. Cillian is in a loving
relationship with Lena, and they are expecting a child together. There is no
room for Sorley in their relationship other than that of a trusted friend.
Although
this book is told from Sorley's point of view, we are reunited with some of the
characters that made the Empire's Legacy saga so enthralling. Once again, I
felt drawn to Cillian. Cillian is an honourable man who has a sharp wit and a
keen intelligence. He is also extraordinarily compassionate and to witness him
fighting for his life was an emotional experience. I, along with Sorley and
Lena, hoped for a miracle.
Oraiáphon
is not a novella that stands alone. You do need to read the other three books
in the series first:
Book 1:
Empire's Daughter
Book 2:
Empire's Hostage
Book 3:
Empire's Exile
Empire's
Legacy is a series that demands your attention from start to finish. It is as
brilliant as it is mesmerising. Oraiáphon is a very welcomed addition to the
saga.
I
Highly Recommend.
Review
by Mary Anne Yarde.
The
Coffee Pot Book Club.
Pick
up your copy of
Oraiáphon
Marian L Thorpe
Not content with two careers as a
research scientist and an educator, Marian L Thorpe decided to go back to what
she’d always wanted to do and be a writer. Author of the alternative world
medieval trilogy Empire’s Legacy, Marian also has published short stories and
poetry. Her life-long interest in Roman and post-Roman European history informs
her novels, while her avocations of landscape archaeology and birding provide
background to her settings. As well as writing and editing professionally,
Marian oversees Arboretum Press, a small publishing imprint run as a
collective. Marian is currently writing Empire’s Reckoning, the next book in
her series.
Connect with Marian: Website • Twitter • Goodreads.
