Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn
The Twelve Houses series is one of my favourite feel-good fantasy series that I revisit every year. Mystic and Rider, the first in the series, and initially published in 2006, has stood the test of time and is still in print. The kingdom of Gillengaria is in turmoil with the noble houses in the south beginning to question the rule of King Baryn. There is growing hostility towards mystics, led by the Lestra, a devotee of the Pale Lady, and cult leader of the Lumanen Convent, which has become the home of many young women and a powerful armed troop. King Baryn needs to know the extent of the unrest and sends the mystic Senneth to assess the threat. Accompanying her are a group comprising of Tayse, first among the King’s Riders, Justin a young King’s Rider, Kirra and Donnal who are shapeshifters and Cammon, a young mystic rescued by Senneth from captivity. As the disparate group travels deep into the south the mystics and soldiers begin to trust each other, realising that surviving danger from the nobles and the Lestra means working together.
Shinn is an author who can cleverly combine fantastic world building, likeable characters, a slow burning romance and danger into an engrossing story that will linger in the mind. It is easy to visualise Gillengaria, ruled by a king that some believe to be weak and influenced by his mysterious young wife. The Twelve Houses, each with its own leader, are vividly described as Senneth’s group traverse the country with its changing terrain. However it is the characterization that is the highlight of the novel for me. Senneth is the strongest mystic in the land, who can control fire. She is calm and thoughtful until injustice spurs her into action. Tayse is an alert soldier always on the watch for danger but drawn to Senneth even though he distrusts mystics. Justin is very young and looks up to Tayse, unwilling to accept Senneth’s leadership, but strong and decisive in battle. Kirra is beautiful and wilful, a healer who loves to change shapes while Donnal is her trusted follower. Cammon is a reader, sensitive to other’s thoughts and slowly beginning to learn his powers. Gradually the group melds together, all the members learning to trust each other’s skills as they face danger from the Lestra's fantatical followers and the dissenting nobles.
Fantasy, like Shinn’s outstanding series, can take readers into another world and help them forget their everyday problems. Mystic and rider is a satisfying escape from reality and readers will want to continue with the series, desperate to find out what happens to the kingdom of Gillengaria and its mystics. And readers who enjoy books by Robin Mckinley, Juliet Marillier and Lois Bujold McMaster are sure to like books by Sharon Shinn.
Themes: Fantasy, Political intrigue, Magic, Romance.
Pat Pledger