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Chronicles of the Tree #2
Samiha's Song
Tymon leaves his new home and his beloved Samiha to complete his Grafting studies with the famous Oracle of Nur. But Tymon and fellow traveller Jedda find that locating the Oracle in a corrupt and lawless city run by pirates and slave-drivers is no easy matter.
Samiha's fate has been predicted by Grafters down the ages. When she is captured in Cherk Harbour and charged with grand heresy, there seems to be no way out... but Tymon does not believe in fate and is desperate to save her life.
As chaos hums through the Tree, survival revolves on the fate of just one...
Samiha's fate has been predicted by Grafters down the ages. When she is captured in Cherk Harbour and charged with grand heresy, there seems to be no way out... but Tymon does not believe in fate and is desperate to save her life.
As chaos hums through the Tree, survival revolves on the fate of just one...
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2011
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Mary Victoria
6 books26 followersMary Victoria was born in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Despite this she managed to live most of her life in other places, including Cyprus, Canada, France, New Zealand and the UK. Before writing her first three novels, she made monsters flap and stomp over Middle Earth. She now lives in London with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 8, 2011
After Tymon’s Flight, I was really looking forward to its sequel, Samiha’s Song. If nothing else, I wanted a continuation of Tymon’s adventure while learning more about the world that Mary Victoria created. And I expected that she’d throw some good philosophy in there as well to provide a little depth.
What I did not expect is what I got with Samiha’s Song. This book is deep, dense, and rich with meaning. In most ways, it completely eclipses Tymon’s Flight, which is unusual for the second book of a trilogy. It is the kind of book which demands a reread to understand the nuances, and which at the same time promises to never be fully understood.
Samiha starts out conflicted by her role in a prophecy, one which demands her sacrifice – this is a clear retelling of the Christ myth. By the end of the book, she has found acceptance. In many ways, the prophecy is a self-fulfilling one; Samiha could seemingly chose to ignore it and live out a very different life than the one predestined for her. Mary Victoria handles this aspect of the prophecy well, specifically calling out its self-fulfilling nature. To not do so would have distracted the reader from the real themes that she was trying to explore. Samiha knows that fulfillment of destiny relies on her choices. In making her choice, however, she has to decide what it means to be who she is, what it is she wants for her people, the options her people have. In many ways, the choice is already made for her. Her accedence to the prophecy both is a choice and isn’t. Mary Victoria portrays Samiha so keenly that we understand that who she is as a person would not allow her to chose in any other way. It then brings us back around to the question, is the prophecy really self-fulfilling? This aspect of the theme is central to the story, and is deftly written.
With Samiha’s choice made, Tymon is left to find his own acceptance or to find a way to save her while not disturbing the path clearly shown by the Sap, the power which flows through the World Tree. He learns enough of his new-found power to know that to go against the Sap could have devastating effects for him. His anguish is real, as he wants what is best for the people but can’t allow himself to believe that Samiha’s fatalism is necessary. And how do you free someone who does not want to be freed?
One of Mary Victoria’s strengths is proving to be her ability to keep her readers guessing until the end. I had absolutely no idea what Tymon would do or even if he should do anything. My own feelings were often as confused as those of our two protagonists. What exactly was I rooting for? And I mean this in a good way as the ambiguities of the complex themes Mary was writing about did not lend themselves to clarity. I’m not sure there is any clarity in this story, and to provide some where none existed would have been to sell the ideas in the book short. The author avoids that trap admirably.
The book is alternately a deep philosophy, one which had me staring off into space instead of reading while I contemplated the ideas presented, and a page turning thriller, one that had me read the final 128 pages in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The author is beginning to distinguish herself from the masses of Fantasy writers as one of the few who can so skillfully do both, and at the same time no less.
Readers looking for more escapist fantasy won’t be disappointed either. Samiha’s Song is as rich in pure fun as it is in philosophy. Tymon visits towns full of pirates and slavers, dying tribes, colorful vagabond acting troops; he escapes near death in otherworldly planes, sees visions in trances; he flies in a steam powered craft, balloons, hovering platforms, and flees on foot through winter rains. The supporting characters around Samiha and Tymon are each as rich in their own way. You will root for traitors and curse the freedom fighters.
Bring on the conclusion, Oracle’s Fire. I’m ready.
What I did not expect is what I got with Samiha’s Song. This book is deep, dense, and rich with meaning. In most ways, it completely eclipses Tymon’s Flight, which is unusual for the second book of a trilogy. It is the kind of book which demands a reread to understand the nuances, and which at the same time promises to never be fully understood.
Samiha starts out conflicted by her role in a prophecy, one which demands her sacrifice – this is a clear retelling of the Christ myth. By the end of the book, she has found acceptance. In many ways, the prophecy is a self-fulfilling one; Samiha could seemingly chose to ignore it and live out a very different life than the one predestined for her. Mary Victoria handles this aspect of the prophecy well, specifically calling out its self-fulfilling nature. To not do so would have distracted the reader from the real themes that she was trying to explore. Samiha knows that fulfillment of destiny relies on her choices. In making her choice, however, she has to decide what it means to be who she is, what it is she wants for her people, the options her people have. In many ways, the choice is already made for her. Her accedence to the prophecy both is a choice and isn’t. Mary Victoria portrays Samiha so keenly that we understand that who she is as a person would not allow her to chose in any other way. It then brings us back around to the question, is the prophecy really self-fulfilling? This aspect of the theme is central to the story, and is deftly written.
With Samiha’s choice made, Tymon is left to find his own acceptance or to find a way to save her while not disturbing the path clearly shown by the Sap, the power which flows through the World Tree. He learns enough of his new-found power to know that to go against the Sap could have devastating effects for him. His anguish is real, as he wants what is best for the people but can’t allow himself to believe that Samiha’s fatalism is necessary. And how do you free someone who does not want to be freed?
One of Mary Victoria’s strengths is proving to be her ability to keep her readers guessing until the end. I had absolutely no idea what Tymon would do or even if he should do anything. My own feelings were often as confused as those of our two protagonists. What exactly was I rooting for? And I mean this in a good way as the ambiguities of the complex themes Mary was writing about did not lend themselves to clarity. I’m not sure there is any clarity in this story, and to provide some where none existed would have been to sell the ideas in the book short. The author avoids that trap admirably.
The book is alternately a deep philosophy, one which had me staring off into space instead of reading while I contemplated the ideas presented, and a page turning thriller, one that had me read the final 128 pages in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The author is beginning to distinguish herself from the masses of Fantasy writers as one of the few who can so skillfully do both, and at the same time no less.
Readers looking for more escapist fantasy won’t be disappointed either. Samiha’s Song is as rich in pure fun as it is in philosophy. Tymon visits towns full of pirates and slavers, dying tribes, colorful vagabond acting troops; he escapes near death in otherworldly planes, sees visions in trances; he flies in a steam powered craft, balloons, hovering platforms, and flees on foot through winter rains. The supporting characters around Samiha and Tymon are each as rich in their own way. You will root for traitors and curse the freedom fighters.
Bring on the conclusion, Oracle’s Fire. I’m ready.
June 26, 2011
This the 2nd book in the series and I definitely felt it had a more rhythmic pacing than the first. The author makes the assumption the audience is not cast full of dimwits and have actually taken the time to read the first book and remember who the characters are and where they have been. This may be a strange complement but I've read many a fantasy novel where too much time is spent in recap at the beginning. It always leads to a strange pacing where the book doesn't fully get going until halfway through the novel. Not so with Samiha's Song. It hooks you quickly and I found myself in that lovely state of not wanting to put it down. I knocked it down from five stars to four only because there was a slight reminiscence to Empire Strikes Back in the "training" section of the book, but it's resemblance is slight and the characters are interesting and original enough that I found myself asking questions that can't be answered until the 3rd installment and wanting more. It is deep, meaty and very satisfying. I can't wait for the next book.
March 13, 2011
What can I say about this book?
I can only tell you the truth - that this book is awesome. Mary Victoria has really done a fantastic job on book two. It has action, romance, sacrifice, adventure and intrigue. You can see the journey that Tymon and Samiha take as they are separated at the beginning.
Each character has their part to play in the greater tale and it weaves together really well. The characters were well written and engaging and Mary makes you feel for their fate.
There are twists and turns all through out the book that you just don't see coming. When I got the end of the book I was like OMG.
I would recommend this series whole heartedly – Samiha's Song is a vast improvement over Tymon's Flight (Which was a great book as well)
We have signed copies in the store if any one is interested – you should be!!!
I can only tell you the truth - that this book is awesome. Mary Victoria has really done a fantastic job on book two. It has action, romance, sacrifice, adventure and intrigue. You can see the journey that Tymon and Samiha take as they are separated at the beginning.
Each character has their part to play in the greater tale and it weaves together really well. The characters were well written and engaging and Mary makes you feel for their fate.
There are twists and turns all through out the book that you just don't see coming. When I got the end of the book I was like OMG.
I would recommend this series whole heartedly – Samiha's Song is a vast improvement over Tymon's Flight (Which was a great book as well)
We have signed copies in the store if any one is interested – you should be!!!
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June 13, 2017Truly great new fantasy series - up there with Ursula Le Guin
Book Two of The Chronicles of the Tree series is even better then the first, Tymon's Flight. The author, Mary Victoria has created a fascinating world, peopled with wise and wonderful characters. The plot moves along at a good pace and the language is beautiful.
At the close of Book Two, the reader is left in no doubt that the third book in the series will bring all the elements of this exciting story to an original and satisfying conclusion.
Book Two of The Chronicles of the Tree series is even better then the first, Tymon's Flight. The author, Mary Victoria has created a fascinating world, peopled with wise and wonderful characters. The plot moves along at a good pace and the language is beautiful.
At the close of Book Two, the reader is left in no doubt that the third book in the series will bring all the elements of this exciting story to an original and satisfying conclusion.
April 9, 2012
Samiha's Song is the second volume in Mary Victoria's Chronicles of the Tree trilogy. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the excellent first volume, Tymon's Flight, mainly because it took a while to get going, but it does the things the second book of a fantasy trilogy should do: it deepens the world in which the story takes place, introduces new complications, and prepares the main character for the trials to be faced in the concluding volume, Oracle's Fire. I think that should be a cracker.
May 7, 2012
The continuation of the Chronicles of the Tree saga - interesting with lots of twists - an enjoyable read
September 8, 2013
Another brilliant book by Mary Victoria. My only issue is with mistakes to words or missing words.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews