''Mélusine'' (2005) is a fantasy novel by

Sarah Monette Sarah Elizabeth Monette (born November 25, 1974) is an American novelist and short story author, writing mostly in the genres of fantasy and horror. Under the name Katherine Addison, she published the fantasy novel '' The Goblin Emperor'', which ...

. It is the first book of the

Doctrine of Labyrinths Doctrine (from la, doctrina, meaning "teaching, instruction") is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system ...

series, which includes ''The Virtu'', ''The Mirador'', and ''Corambis''. It was well received upon its release; ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' gave it a

starred review A starred review is a book review __NOTOC__ A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is merely described (summary review) or analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review may be a primary source, opinion piece ...

and called it "extraordinary".
in ''Publishers Weekly''.

Plot summary

The story revolves around two characters: magician Felix Harrowgate and thief Mildmay the Fox, who live in vastly different parts of the city of Mélusine. They are tossed together by fate when Felix is accused of destroying the crystal Virtu, an orb which channels the magical energy of the magicians in Mélusine.

Characters

Felix Harrowgate

A wizard who, at the start of the novel, is living with the elite of the city in the Mirador. When his sordid past is revealed to his upper-class lover, he retreats to his former master and mentor Malkar Gennadion.

Mildmay the Fox

A thief in the Lower City. When he accepts what he believes to be a simple job of stealing jewelry from a nobleman, he gets entangled in the magic and politics of the city.

Ginevra Thomson

The jilted mistress of a nobleman. She hires Mildmay to steal her jewels from her ex-lover.

Malkar Gennadion

A magician who was once Felix's master and lover. He physically and magically rapes Felix and binds him in order to force Felix to shatter the Virtu.

Shannon Teverius

Felix's nobleman lover who abandons him once he learns of Felix's background.

References

External links

Sarah Monette's official site
2005 American novels American fantasy novels Novels about rape Ace Books books 2005 debut novels {{2000s-fantasy-novel-stub