Tower of the King's Daughter

Outremer - UK #1

by Chaz Brenchley

The Kingdom of Outremer was born of blood and pain and passion; forty years on, enemies still threaten its borders and heresy still threatens its peace.

The Society of Ransom is the Kingdom's conscience, and its sword-arm too. In the Ransomer's remote border stronghold of Roq de Rancon, its walls echoing with ancient magic and forgotten secrets, a tale of love, duty and betrayal will unfold: for Marron, a young man newly sworn to the brotherhood; for Julianne, daughter of the King's Shadow, en route to her wedding in Elessi; and for Elisande, her mysterious companion.

All have a part to play in the coming upheaval, for their lives are intrinsically bound up with the fate of Outremer.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, M M Romance, Queer, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Queer Fantasy

600 pages

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Chaz Brenchley has been making a living as a writer since he was eighteen. He is the author of nine thrillers, most recently Shelter, and two major fantasy series: The Books of Outremer, based on the world of the Crusades, and Selling Water by the River, set in an alternate Ottoman Istanbul. A winner of the British Fantasy Award, he has also published three books for children and more than 500 short stories in various genres. His time as Crimewriter-in-Residence at the St Peter's Riverside Sculpture Project in Sunderland resulted in the collection Blood Waters. He is a prizewinning ex-poet, and has been writer in residence at the University of Northumbria, as well as tutoring their MA in Creative Writing. His novel Dead of Light is currently in development with an independent film company; Shelter has been optioned by Granada TV. He was Northern Writer of the Year 2000, and lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with a quantum cat and a famous teddy bear.

Also known as author Daniel Fox.

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Excellent part 2 of the first book of the trilogy. (I am not a huge fan of the decision to (re)publish in six rather than three parts, largely because I would like to read all of it now please). Vivid setting, wonderfully imagined and developed alt-Crusader world with religious fanaticism and backstabbery, engaging flawed characters, twisty plotting on a large scale, and the new editions from Wizard's Tower have truly fabulous cover. I hope these find a big audience. It's kind of old school fantasy but in an exceedingly good way (including female and queer leads for a start). Recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outremer (French for the land the Crusaders conquered, in my own words), has only been held for 30 years, taken from the Sharai tribes in the east and the Ekkhed in the south, it is a new Kingdom ruled by a man who hasn't been seen since the capital of Ascariel was won.

Julianne de Rance is the daughter of the King's Shadow, the king's representative throughout Outremer. Sent to marry a duke's heir, she encounters Elisande, a girl with many secrets, and a djinni who tells her to "go where she is sent and marry where she must". They stop at Roq de Rancon, a Ransomer post (Ransomer = think Crusader but even more religious - like fighting monks) and meet Marron, a Brother Ransomer and young squire to Sieur Anton d'Escrivey.

The Roq is a strange, forbidding place in a barren wasteland of a desert. Part of it is a tower with no doors or windows that the king, when he visited before disappearing into seclusion, laughingly named the Tower of the King's Daughter, though he has no daughters.

This is a richly envisioned fantasy world, original in its setting, culture and magic. The novel moves somewhat slowly but is never boring - every detail, every new insight into the culture, the religious order, the history and the daily life lends to a deep sense of realism.

Every character is vividly realised, and Tower of the King's Daughter gives ample time and opportunity to get to know them and grow attached to them. Those like Sieur Anton are complex, while others, like Marron, start simple and develop over the next two books.

The pacing can be a bit slow at times, but in this first volume at least, I greatly enjoyed the slower pace and the chance to really familiarise myself with this land - though it can be downright scary at times, what with the religious over-zealousness. As a critique of religious imperialism and intolerance, and the days when punishment and death for sins or heresy was dealt out liberally, Tower of the King's Daughter combines history and fantasy to present a completely unromantic perspective of a very patriarchal, religious and superstitious world.

It's a memorable story, though - more Arabian Nights than The Faerie Queen. Though I do seem to reading an awful lot of books lately that feature harems! For those who enjoy dense, long fantasy novels like the Kushiel books, or the Wheel of Time or The Liveship Traders, this is a must-read and one you won't forget.

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad gave me this about a year ago and said “Here, it was free at the library, read it and tell me if it’s worth reading.” I laughed and shrugged and said why the hell not. Fast forward to now where I’m very pleased I sacrificed myself as the tester because it is a truly excellent read. I was captivated from page one and kept turning the pages compulsively to see where the story would go. I love the world the author created, it was quite original and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only minor complaint is that while the story and world building were excellent, I still did wonder what the point of the whole story was and it never really became clear to me. But I still loved it despite they do it’s still a win and now I can safely give it back to my dad and tell him it’s definitely worth a read!

[William Leight · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most of its length, “Tower of the King’s Daughter” is a competent if not outstanding story of two young people who have been drawn to Brenchley’s Outremer, an alternate-universe version of the Crusader kingdoms established following the conquest of Jerusalem by the First Crusade, and almost immediately begin to regret it. Julianne is here, not entirely by choice, to make a political marriage; she is staying, until her husband shows up, in the Roq de Rancon (clearly the Krak des Chevaliers), a stronghold of the Ransomers. The Ransomers are a religious-military order somewhat like the Templars or Hospitallers, but perhaps more fanatical, which Marron, a French farmboy, is now starting to think he shouldn’t have joined. There are hints of mystery — to be fair, the djinn which briefly appears to warn Julianne against her marriage is possibly more than a hint — such as the discussion of a possible war against the heretics of Surayon, who have somehow managed to conceal their kingdom behind a magical barrier, and the actions of Julianne’s friend Elisande, who clearly has secrets that she is not willing to share. But mostly we watch Marron and Julianne as they increasingly chafe under the harsh restrictions and religious zealotry that make up life in Outremer, or at least in the Roq, where practically the entire book takes place. Which is not a problem, as Brenchley is excellent at building suspense: he can slowly spin out an important revelation about a character over a series of interactions, or conjure a mounting feeling of dread but still surprise you with the manner in which it is resolved, generally by a sudden leap to a new, heightened level of unease. And his characters — not just Marron, Julianne, and Elisande, but the supporting ones as well — are believable and sympathetic (well, except for the textbook fanatic Fra’ Piet). Still, though the story is well-written and cleverly transposed to an invented history, rather than the real one where this type of book usually takes place, the general outline is familiar: events such as the attack on the Roq, the trial for heresy, and Julianne’s attempt to run away all keep your attention, but everything fits within the shape of the story. Until, that is, the end of the book, when the tension suddenly breaks, as it must, and the book veers in a completely unexpected (to me, at least), but fascinating, direction. (However, it must be noted that there are some resemblances between the end of this book, and the end of “Jade Man’s Skin”, the first book of Brenchley’s trilogy (written under a pseudonym) about medieval China, so perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised.) From this point forward, it seems, it will no longer be possible to confuse the story with a work of historical fiction for teenagers featuring lead characters who rebel against their lot. What that means for the story will have to wait for the next book, but I’m optimistic.

[Sandra Visser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Duty is owed
Loyalty is earned
Allegiance is won
Betrayal is universal

The Kingdom of Outremer was born of blood and pain and passion; forty years on, enemies still threaten it borders and heresy still threatens its peace. The Society of Ransom is the kingdom’s conscience and its sword-arm too. In the Ransomers’ remote border stronghold of Roq de Rançon, its walls echoing with ancient magic and forgotten secrets, a tale of love, duty and betrayal will unfold: for Marron, a young man newly sworn to the brotherhood; for Julianne, daughter of the King’s Shadow, en route to her wedding in Elessi; and for Elisande, her mysterious companion.

All have a part to play in the coming upheaval, for their lives are intricately bound up with the fate of Outremer.

With a spellbinding tale set in a harsh and barren land, Tower of the King’s Daughter brings a powerful and original new voice to epic fantasy.

Where do I begin with how much of a failure this book is? In the beginning the slow drip drip of information about what's going on is intriguing and you keep waiting for some sort of revelation, but it never comes. The whole thing just goes on and on. What happens in this novel could have happened in less than half the pages. Marron is interesting until he leaves the brotherhood and then he just starts making irritating mistakes that get the others in trouble. Julianne and Elisande escape twice because reasons even though she loves her new husband. Elisande's father and his friend also escape twice! And what the daughter ends up being is so lame. The only thing that's a bit different is that Sieur Anton and Marron are gay and sleep together. I'll definitely not be reading the next book.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.

I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[James Latimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking Goodreads app stole my review just as I'd finished writing. In short, I liked it, but something about the pace and progress meant I couldn't quite love it, but I give it another star anyway for knights, castles, and strong characters - and gay ones. It's got a lot of the Guy Gavriel Kay about it, and a bit of the KV Johansen (who recomended it), but both of those would pack more story into 600 pages. Served up in lots of little fragments its very long and quite slow, despite a lot always happening, and always moving forward. There's a bit of repetitiveness after a while and it's definitely a 'Book One' in that it really only sets the larger story up and moves it on one step. I can see why the US editions (and the recent ones) split it in two, but I can't understand where in the middle you could break and have a complete story. Still, it's very good and perhaps if I'd been able to read it in larger chunks I'd have been fully on board. Great to see new editions out, even though I finally managed to find and old copy just as they did!

[Cor Markhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is easy to dislike this book which so clearly suffers from being the first in a series as well as at times wanting to be cleverer than it actually is. To call its plot slow would still be a compliment, the "good" factions appears to be a bit to "good" if compared to the rest of the factions and many of its characters, its male MC especially, suffer from a terrible lack of agency and motivation...

And yet I have to admit that I personally quite liked this story. Partly this is simply because I am a sucker for medieval fantasy with interesting and unique settings but partly also because the plot, slow and somewhat simplistic that it is, still managed to capture enough of my interest that I wish to see just where the journey will go from here. I just hope that after this 600 page prologue the story picks up some steam...

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in an alternate version of the Crusader kingdoms, this is the first volume in a fantasy trilogy that I've long been meaning to read. The book starts out slow and takes its time in introducing its world and characters, but it neverthelss drew me in quite quickly. In many ways, this series opener feels like it's just setting up the gameboard before the story properly starts in book two - I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up at a secondhand bookshop in Geelong while on holidays - a very dense fantasy novel which moves a bit slowly, but was otherwise very enjoyable.

[Inara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marron, a young man comes with Aldo his childhood friend to Outremer to be a brother in a Templar-like order to defend the land against the assaults of the sharai. The rigid hierarchy, strict regulations and the atrocities he has to commit on his way to Roq de Rancon, the castle of the order as well as his own guilty consciousness makes him soon question his service. His faith and obedience are put hard to the test every day. Marron too is torn between his duties as a brother and squire to the knight Sieur Anton d´Escrivey and stumbles from one trouble into the next because he just can´t do as he´s told and finally disaster strikes..
Julianne de Rance, the daughter of the King´s Shadow is on her way to her wedding to Baron Imber in Elessi for political reasons. On the road she meets the girl Elisande and they decide to travel together. When the road is blocked by a djinni, Julianne makes the mistake of asking the djinni a question and is now in its debt to Elisande´s dismay. Due to unforseen events Julianne and Elisande have to seek sanctuary at Roq de Rancon where they meet Marron and Rudel, a jongleur who has come to Roq with his own agenda…
This is an epic fantasy set in a colorful world which resembles the time of the crusades and the fight of the templars and knights to defend their kingdom of the Holy Land. Although the author gave the cities and countries different names you can figure out what city or castle is described e.g. Roq de Rancon is Krak des Chevaliers, a famous castle in possession (among others) of the Knights Hospitallers in Syria. I would call it a knightly fantasy story with mystery, magic and intrigues with distinctive and believable characters. Although I admit I thought Marron = moron sometimes because of his abilty to put his foot in his mouth on a regular basis but nontheless I liked his character and when the story progresses we learn more about his past and the true relationship with his knight. I wasn´t in the least surprised to have confirmed my suspicion in regard of Marron´s preferences in lovers, there were enough hints throughout the book in my opinion.
The book is fast-paced, full of action, excitement, romance and betrayal and delivers insight in the fascinating world of the orders of knighthood set within a fantastical alternate kingdom of Jerusalem. I was really intrigued by the storyline and couldn´t wait to read what would happen next. I´m really looking forward to read the next two books in this trilogy!

Note:
The UK-Edition of this book was divided into two books in the US-Edition:
The Devil in the Dust 1
Tower of the King´s Daughter 2

Website of the author: http://www.chazbrenchley.co.uk/

[Jules Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaz Brenchley's Outremer series creates a richly imagined world populated by people who feel real. The pace is slow and unhurried, but it's always clear that the story is going somewhere, and worth following. It's solidly based in the real history of the Crusader kingdoms, but places them in a universe where the magic of that time and place is real, making for a compelling and different take on the fantasy genre.[return][return]This book opens where the previous volume left off, with the young squire Marron having to face the consequences of his choice to protect the Ransomers from a stealth invasion. It's clear from the very first scene that this is no fluffy fantasy, where only redshirts die -- Brenchley unflinchingly shows that Marron's choice was between two evils, and that people he cares for would suffer greatly no matter which choice he made. It's close to horror in its intensity, but it's not gratuitous.[return][return]The pattern continues through the book, with choices having to be made by most of the characters, some lesser and some greater, but never easy choices. If you're looking for a nice simple Good Versus Evil, look elsewhere. This series has complex characters reacting to complex situations, and actions don't always have the consequences someone intended.[return][return]This volume develops the relationships already shown in the first volume, and shows more of two characters who were introduced relatively briefly. One of the plot hooks in the first volume provides much of the plotline for Julianne and Elisande, as they try to obey the djinni's request/order to Julianne that she go where she is sent, and marry where she must. The promise proves both more complicated and more painful to keep than Julianne had imagined. And one of the hints for Marron and Sieur Anton comes to fruition, but Marron finds his own promises, to himself and to others, clashing with each other.[return][return]Some of the secrets hinted at in the first volume are unveiled -- including the mystery at the heart of the titular tower, a strange edifice in the heart of the fortress of Roq de Rancon. But it's clear that the characters still have a long journey ahead of them, and lessons to learn.[return][return]The series offers a fascinating world and well-developed characters, including strong female characters who feel integral rather than a nod to the female readership. It's all presented in exquisite prose that's a delight to read.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think all fantasy authors should receive a notice explaining that there are other religions in the real world besides Islam and Christianity, so maybe they could make up new religions in their books. I am so tired of reading "The Crusades, but with a twist!" I am also pretty tired of fantasy lands where all the rules are different...except that women are still second-class citizens, of course, because we wouldn't want to just go ahead and write a society where they could function normally.
I realize all of these are fairly standard complaints for the genre, but Brenchley's work exacerbated them far more than usual for me. Other than that, the book was...fine. I read all the way to the end, some 600-odd pages, because I did vaguely want to know what happened to the characters. However, I picked up the second volume of the trilogy, read 18 pages, and put it down, because, while I struggle not to finish a book, I was not about to commit to another 1200 pages of a frankly tepid story with unmemorable characters.
Although the characters are faintly differentiated in personality, it is not enough for me to feel strongly about any one of them, or to be able to predict with much accuracy how they would handle different situations. The story plodded along without revealing much; I didn't feel that their adventure had really begun until the end of the book. That was almost enough for me to pick up the second book, but not quite.
Overall, this book is a 1.5 for me. I rounded up because, if you do want "The Crusades, but with a twist" and some standard fantasy retrogressive social structures, then this is the book for you! It was not, however, the book for me.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book. I definitely wanted to, but after about 5 pages in I knew I wasn't going to like it much. The author uses this technique I have seen before where he just sort of starts writing as if you know his fantasy land and everything going on in it. I was incredibly confused, and after about 5 pages of that, I started to get annoyed. How was I supposed to understand and like a book if I had no idea what was going on in it?? But I kept plugging along, thinking it had the potential to get better. And it did get slightly better, I do like the characters in the novel, but the world itself and some of the components of it make little sense and seem to be fairly random ideas that were sort stewed together to make Outremer.

Even by the end of the novel, there were random parts put in the novel that were unexplained and seemingly useless, though I hope they were not given that I had to read through them. In addition, I've no idea why the American version was cut into two books. This wasn't that long of a read, aside from the fact that it was difficult to get through, and I felt like I only read half a story when I was done with it. I pay pick up the second part later, if only to see if it gets marginally better.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts off quite slowly but it builds into a very interesting story of a group of people in a world something like ours where magic is a reality and is set in something that resembles the Middle East during a period not unlike the crusades.

Marron is a young man who is trying to come to terms with the terrible things he has done in the name of his religion and trying to find a way to make a role for himself in the brotherhood, the Society of Ransom. As a lowly soldier he has done things he would rather forget.

Julianne is the daughter of the King's Shadow, in the Roq de Rancon, en route to her marriage. Along the way she was joined by Elessi, a woman who has some secrets. Joined by others they have to face up to legend and strangeness and try to come out the other side alive.

There were times when it felt like a quest novel where the author was trying to get the various people in a role-playing group together but in the end it turned very interesting and the characters became quite likeable. I look forward to the sequels.

[Bumblesby · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes sense to me now. Tower of the King's Daughter and The Devil In The Dust were originally published as one volume. For some reason, the original three volumes were split in the USA into 6 books in 2003 when the mass market paperbacks were published.

Tower picks up the moment after Devil ends and now it makes sense that Devil is more world-building and character development. Much of the action happens in Tower. There are interesting twists in this second book and some redeeming aspects of the first. I wish I had the third book A Dark Way To Glory in front of me now so I could continue reading. I have it on order!

Recommended if these first two books are read together.

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second half of Outremer 1 - released as one book under this title in the UK, it was split in two in the US with Dust Devil first half.

As good as the first half and very entertaining in continuing the adventures of Marron, sir Anton, Lady Julianne, Elisande and the rest.

[Nberkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it so far. Set in a fantasy world with overlapping vivid characters. The writing is phenomenal. If you like SF/Fantasy you will lovie it. Written by Daniel Fox, Dragon in Chains author. Not sure if either is his real name.:)

[Ms. Nikki]

This is actually book 2 in Series.

[George Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, tired of Fantasy at this time.

[Kyla Zerbes · Rating 1 out of 5]

So slow. I hung on hoping it was just world building. We'll see how the second book goes.

[Andrew Peters]

Tower of the King’s Daughter is listed as #1 in the Outremer series, here and elsewhere. As I️ understand it now, the first two books were combined in the British edition and published separately in America, and Tower is actually part two. So initially I️ was somewhat confused with the story which begins in the middle of things. The book had been on my gay fantasy TBR pile for a while, and is out of print and not available as an e-Book. I️ landed a copy through inter library loan (it’s also not widely available in American libraries), and plunged into it despite not having the first book to help with the backstory. I’m very glad I️ did. This was one of my most enjoyable reads this year.

Despite being unsure about how much I️ should know about the histories of the main characters, the story and the writing were so strong, the book kept me engaged, working as a stand-alone in the end, I️ found. Brief synopsis: the kingdom of Outremer is at a crossroads in its campaign to sustain its gains of foreign (vaguely Middle Eastern) lands and with an absent king. A castle outpost the Roq is just recovering from an attempted siege by native militants known as the Sharai. Those who abetted the insurgents face a bloody reckoning, and Brenchley hooks the reader into the story with haunting images of “traitors” (more likely scapegoats and mainly boys), dragged into a bonfire as a moral sentencing and cleansing of the castle. Though this is a work of fantasy, Brenchley’s background in horror is apparent. A mood of dread and terror seeps from the page, not so much through graphic imagery, there is some, but via the silent, calcified reaction of the witnesses to this opening atrocity.

Religious themes prevail in conventional ways. The occupiers are a stridently monotheistic nation with an elite military of Ransomers whose vows and codes of honor resemble the knightly crusaders of Medieval Europe (the French particularly based on name choices). The natives are infidels who are loathed and persecuted because of their mysterious command of sorcery (more on that later). Nothing so new with that premise, but I’ll get to why I thought the book was so good.

This is a small story in the sense that not a lot of action happens and the storylines are short-term, happening hour by hour for the most part, over a span of days. The alternating protagonists are Marron, a teenage squire with a shameful past (one small quibble with joining the story halfway in: I never understood what that shameful past comprised). His situation is quickly made more shameful and precarious by being taken into the employment by the Knight Sieur Anton D’Escrivey who has a scandalous reputation of his own. The other main character is Julianne, a noblewoman, daughter of the King’s Shadow, who was sent away to the Roq, ironically for her safety, and is fated to be married to a nobleman as political barter.

The rest of my review contains spoilers....As a young man in search of his place in the world, Marron is drawn into a plot to free a tortured prisoner of some significance to the Sharai. In doing so, he witnesses the foreign peoples' amazing magic, and he struggles with his loyalty to the knight who took him in both as a ward and lover. The relationship between Marron and D’Escrivey is nicely realized. Though stern and withdrawn in public, as one would expect a Knight to be, D’Escrivey’s care and concern for young Marron is subtle and heartwarming. He injured Marron in sword practice and for the length of the story, Marron is painfully encumbered by a deep wound to his arm. Brenchley portrays that circumstance so effectively, I was literally cringing while reading about the boy struggling with his daily routine. Alone together, the two men’s roles are reversed, with Knight tending to and soothing his young charge. When their feelings for each other are finally consummated (left largely to the reader's imagination), it becomes clear that Marron is no victim of seduction, and they share their personal struggles living as gay in a world that sees them as an abomination.

Julianne’s story is equally compelling. Bound to a djinn (a fascinating character), she must escape to Sharia in order to help her father, leaving behind the possibility of love with her intended not to mention great risk to her personal safety. Brenchley has a knack for bringing characters to life by showing us their inner worlds; though the action scenes come gradually, the story is never boring as we are right there in the characters head as Julianne and Marron negotiate a complex world with strict rules regarding rank and decorum.

Last but not least, I loved the magic of Outremer. The Sharai characters - Rudel, Redmond, Elissande - use a command of light, psychic and healing abilities, and animated ‘moppets’ to elude those who would kill them. Those elements work really well in fleshing out a world that is not quite our own, yet familiar enough, not too technical to vividly picture. The late-arriving fantasy element “the King's daughter” sets up even higher stakes and a more action packed sequel I would expect.