Schnaucl's review of The Virtu

The Virtu (Doctrine of Labyrinths, Book 2)
by Sarah Monette

Schnaucl's review

rating:

bookshelves: december, fantasy, fiction, glbt, later_purchased, library, read_2007, series

status: Read in December, 2007

** spoiler alert ** Warning: This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk

I really liked this book, too. With Felix's madness gone, it was a pleasure to read from his point of view again (though I continue to enjoy Mildmay as well).

The world and magic system are ever more rich and complex. I enjoyed seeing so many of the characters from the first novel make a return appearance. While in the first novel I initially hoped that Felix woudl get together with Giddeon, by the end I was rooting for Felix/Mildmay (and still am, though in some ways it looks unlikely). I like that Monette addresses the fact that it's technically incest headon and I completely believe that it doesn't bother Felix (the way it might had they actually been raised together).

It's true that much of the tension and angst could be resolved if Mildmay and Felix would just talk to each other, but it's completely believable that they don't. They obviously trust each other with their lives, but really talk...more Warning: This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk

I really liked this book, too. With Felix's madness gone, it was a pleasure to read from his point of view again (though I continue to enjoy Mildmay as well).

The world and magic system are ever more rich and complex. I enjoyed seeing so many of the characters from the first novel make a return appearance. While in the first novel I initially hoped that Felix woudl get together with Giddeon, by the end I was rooting for Felix/Mildmay (and still am, though in some ways it looks unlikely). I like that Monette addresses the fact that it's technically incest headon and I completely believe that it doesn't bother Felix (the way it might had they actually been raised together).

It's true that much of the tension and angst could be resolved if Mildmay and Felix would just talk to each other, but it's completely believable that they don't. They obviously trust each other with their lives, but really talking about what was bothering them would require both self-awareness and much more vulnerability and neither of them likes to be vulnerable (being open is not the same as being vulnerable). I think it's easier for them to talk about the past, even the things in the past they've kept from everyone else, than it is to talk about how they feel. And frankly, I don't think Felix can be trusted with Mildmay's heart. He'd want to be good to him, but he'd get careless and hurt him all over again. I like that he's self aware enough to actually say that at one point (though honestly, I can't remember if it was in this book or the one before).

It makes sense to me that Felix can't just change over night, even if he wants to. But neither is he a static character. He learns from his mistakes and tries to be more aware of them in the future. But like most people, he has relapses. Frequent relapses.

I look forward to reading more about these characters, seeing them change and grow. I'm concerned about Mildmay now, and very anxious to read the next book.</...less

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Schnaucl's review of The Virtu

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