The Councillor
“Her quill was her sword. If she worked with all her effort, surely she could wield it for the woman who had trained her; for the woman who had plucked her from a narrow world and immersed her in a realm of leather-bound books, debates about epic poetry, trips in the carriage to the Axium theaters, hedges sprinkled with white bellflower blossoms, and laughter at ribald jokes.”
If there was one lesson I could share from reading this book, it would be: Challenge your expectations.
The Councillor is a brilliant book that follows the story of Lysandre Prior, the newly-appointed Councillor who is in charge of choosing a new queen for her country after the previous one is murdered. The queen’s death happens in the first chapter, immediately plunging the reader into intrigue and mystery. I love it when the stakes are set really high in the first chapter; it really sets the tone for the rest of the story and prompts me to keep reading.
Everything that happens in this book challenges what the fantasy genre can be (and often is). Instead of the new ruler coming to the throne through hereditary means, they’re chosen to rule by the Councillor. Instead of the typical stereotypical patriarchal society often found in fantasy books, women are just as visible and powerful as men. Another expectation of mine that was challenged was the role and personality of the late queen.
Lysandre remembers her (fondly) as a crass, unfiltered warrior queen, who seemed to be more comfortable in a suit of armor than a ball gown. It was great to get this perspective of her—She reminded me of Robert Baratheon from the Song of Ice and Fire series, which isn’t the typical personality you’d expect a queen to have.
The characters in this book feel like real, three dimensional people. Even though Lysandre remembers her late queen fondly, it’s clear she had her own flaws and shortcomings. Lysandre herself harbors a deep secret—an addiction to a magical substance that impacts her in interesting ways.
The Councillor is a great book for readers who love:
- Intricate worldbuilding
- Exquisite prose
- Political intrigue
- An interesting magic system
This is a political fantasy rather than an action-packed or adventure-driven story, so if you enjoy lots of sword fighting and swashbuckling, then this story may not be for you (although there is some—just not a ton).
Overall, I really loved this book. I thoroughly enjoyed how it challenged what I thought a fantasy book could be, and I would definitely pick up the next books in the series.
rachelannmyers.com 