Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Empire's Reckoning by 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 medieval trilogy Empire's Legacy and the companion novella Oraiáphon, described as ‘historical fiction of another world’, 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. Empire’s Reckoning is the first of a planned trilogy, Empire’s Reprise.
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About the book
How many secrets does your family have? For 13 years, Sorley has taught music alongside the man he loves, war and betrayal nearly forgotten. But behind their calm and ordered life, there are hidden truths. When a young girl’s question demands an answer, does he break the most important oath he has ever sworn by lying – or tell the truth, risking the destruction of both his family and a fragile political alliance?
Empire’s Reckoning asks if love – of country, of an individual, of family – can be enough to leave behind the expectations of history and culture, and to chart a way to peace.
The world of Empire's Legacy continues with the Empire's Reckoning, with Sorley as the narrator. This time there is an emphasis on relationships and reflection on the past, decisions that determined choices and having to live with the consequences of them. It's very much a character driven read, as opposed to the more action driven previous series.
Gwenna, daughter of Cillian and Lena, has questions about her parents - perhaps one parent in particular. As she is confronted with their role in the history she is being taught it raises a lot of questions, especially because her peers are throwing out accusations and insults. It's time she learnt more about the path her loved ones laid in order for her to be who she is and to be able to live her life.
This is a continuation of the Empire's Legacy series and I couldn't help feel as if there was this presumption of prior knowledge on the part of the author in regards to the reader. There was an element of the character thinks it (referring to a lot of things vaguely) and the reader has no clue what memory, historical event, secret or common knowledge they may be talking about. Also, the vocabulary glossary should be at the front as should the family trees perhaps.
Aside from that Thorpe clearly has drive and vision when it comes to her intricate world-building. History, politics, languages and cultural references - everything is drawn into this fantasy fiction. It is definitely one that profits from knowing or having read the entirety of the previous books and novella from the prior series.
Buy Empire's Reckoning at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Arboretum Press; pub date 30 May 2020. Buy at Amazon com.
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