Apart from the Game of Thrones (song of ice and fire) books, I haven’t really read much world building type fantasy since I was a young adult (so a LONG time ago, ha ha!) but my son, Christy asked me if I had read anything by this author, because he thought I would like it, and since I was going to spend Christmas with him in Finland, I thought I would read the first book to tell him I did!
Well, it is now three months later (as I write this) and I have devoured all 16 big books in the series/world where these books are set. I can’t remember when I was so drawn in and captivated by characters and plots and setting and world lore etc etc as I was with these books. They are FABULOUS!
This series starts with a small boy who remembers little before he is left the Six Duchies Castle. He is the illegitimate son of the King-in-Waiting Prince Chivalry and is named FitzChivalry (which means illegitimate son of Chivalry). He does not meet his father who is shamed and forced to abdicate as next in line to the throne, but as a potential royal heir, Fitz is kept but his life at the castle is difficult.
Members of the royal family have an innate magical ability to communicate telepathically with other who have this ability, even over long distances (as well as a few other uses) called ‘the Skill’. Fitz has the Skill, but his also has a different magical trait which is steeped in fear and prejudice even to the point of people carrying this ability being ritually executed, call ‘the Witt’.
The Witt allows Fitz to understand and communicate with animals, and to form a very strong bond with one chosen animal and share feelings, senses, and thoughts with this bonded animal.
Fitz is raised by gruff but well meaning stable master, Burrick, who had been Chivalry’s friend and guard and is also trained in the art of being an assassin by the mysterious Chade, who lives in secret rooms and passages in the Castle.
Fitz also makes friends with a child of his age who works as a jester and companion to the aging king in the castle.
The trilogy follows Fitz growing up in the castle, finding out who he can and can’t trust, falling in love, going on quest etc.
He is a very flawed character and often infuriatingly so – but then he is a child and then a teenager in these books and although he has a heart of gold, he is often swayed by all the stupids that come with being a boy or an adolescent young man.
Mythical dragon lore is often touched on in this series, as well and the ancient civilisation known as the Elderlings who co-existed with dragons in the past and even thought they don’t feature prominently in this series, they are significant to the story of the whole 16 book series.
Sarah Wray Writer 