Weekly Reader: The Raven Tower (Fire Walker Book 1) by Emma Miles; Arranged Marriage Turns To Love Is Highlight Of This Epic Fantasy

 Weekly Reader: The Raven Tower (Fire Walker Book 1) by Emma Miles; Arranged Marriage Turns To Love Is Highlight Of This Epic Fantasy

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Emma Miles' Epic Fantasy, The Raven Tower is enchanted with the usual sorcery, magical powers, and feuding kingdoms that makes great works in the genre. But what really makes this novel is a theme that can be found in any genre: the power plays between men and women especially during an arranged marriage and what happens when the marriage goes beyond that arrangement.

In the Fulmer Islands, Kesta, Silene of Fulmer is an important person. She is the daughter of Dia, the Icante or Leader, in a largely matriarchal society. Kesta is what is known as a fire walker, someone who communicates with fire spirits and can see visions. Unfortunately, the Fulmers are being attacked by the army of the land of Chem, including soldiers resurrected from the dead. Kesta and her father Arrus have very little choice but to appeal to the kingdom of Elden who are also an enemy of Chem and have a larger army. 

King Bractius of Elden hears their appeal, takes one look at the beautiful and powerful Kesta, and agrees to lend his aid to the 

Fulmer Islands on one condition. Kesta has to marry. Oh not to Bractius. He's already married, but to Jorrun, Bractius' top advisor and sorcerer in residence.

 Kesta is not happy with the prospect. Jorrun has a reputation as The Dark Man. Many fear his cold and intimidating nature. There are plenty of rumors like he was found on the shores of Elden and was raised by the king's family and that he practices dark magic. Not to mention, his home of The Raven Tower has a secret room that no one, not even servants or the king have ever entered. Marriage to such a sinister and creepy individual is not exactly an inviting prospect but Kesta agrees to for the sake of the Fulmers. So off the two not so happy newlyweds go to marital unbliss in The Raven Tower until they get to know each other.

The Raven Tower has many memorable chapters that show a world of magic users. Kesta's powers of fire walking are memorably described. Her visions help both the Fulmers and Elden gain the advantage. She also communicates with a sardonic fire spirit who aids her in her visions and Jorrun in his magical pursuits. She is someone whose magic has grown naturally inside her and is inherited. She is comfortable in using these abilities and knows how they can give the people around her an advantage.

Jorrun's magic is somewhat natural but most of it is practiced through study. His domicile is filled with books, astrological tools, and magical devices. Jorrun gives off the impression of someone who wants to learn everything and has an insatiable curiosity that sometimes consumes him. However, his magical studies prove beneficial in observing the Chem army from afar and using clever and sometimes dangerous subterfuge to infiltrate enemy territory. 

Kesta's natural ability and Jorrun's studious approach comes together as the two use their talents to aid their kingdoms in this crisis.

Besides their magical abilities, Kesta and Jorrun's personalities are intriguing especially when they recognize each other's strengths and limitations. Kesta is from a matriarchal society which holds women in high regard. Women are prominent figures in the Fulmers. They are leaders, advisors, magic users, healers, and warriors. It is this society which helps to guide Kesta in this marriage. While she is not happy with what has happened, she is determined to make the most of it. She uses her Tower as a market to exchange goods and services. She trains many of the servants, even the girls and women, to fight. She befriends the people around her like Rosa, her lady's maid and Tantony, Jorrun's bodyguard.

 The changes are actually approved of by Jorrun and he encourages Kesta's leadership pursuits. This and their interest in magic are what changes her feelings towards him. 

Kesta begins to carve out a niche in Elden to the point that she is accepted in her new homeland by marriage. In fact, the only place where she is definitely lost is in the misogynistic Chem. There she has to act subservient to men and watches helplessly as other women are treated like slaves and concubines. For someone who is raised as a leader and a woman of strength and power, this is a difficult thing for Kesta to do. However, she is able to use her magic, strength, and leadership to aid both her kingdoms.

We also learn a lot more about Jorrun's character. Far from the Dark Man that he appears to be, the sorcerer is actually a kind hearted though introverted man who is protective towards his friends, family, and now his wife. He has firm loyal friends like Catya, his ward, and Osun, a relative forced to remain in Chem. 

Unlike Kesta's family who is close, loving, and encouraging towards Kesta, Jorrun's is fractured to say the least. This fracture goes into explaining why this dark introverted secretive man is the way he is and why he is so willing to defend Elden from the Chems.

 Kesta, and the Reader, see the Dark Man Act is just that: an act to keep others away. When Kesta breaks through the act and sees the real man inside is when they work together as partners, fellow magic users, teammates, and husband and wife.