Lifestyle

Friday August 17, 2007

Young wizard’s quest



Review by ELIZABETH TAI
liztai@thestar.com.my

Betrayal, 544 pages
Revenge, 533 pages
Destiny, 608 pages
Author: Fiona McIntosh
Publisher: Orbit

MY first brush with Australia-based writer Fiona McIntosh’s work is with her Quickening trilogy. The tale, about a young noble with an inferiority complex who is murdered and yet given a chance to set things right, was a fascinating read (thanks to the premise), even if the characters were too two-dimensional for my taste. I blazed through the books in a manner of days and was hungry for more. Therefore, when I got my hands on McIntosh’s Trinity series, I was psyched.

However, I soon discover that McIntosh’s weakness – glorifying her protagonists and demonising her antagonists – really affects the quality of this series, especially since it does not have The Quickening’s fascinating premise to distract me.

The Trinity series has the basic ingredients for a typical fantasy read. Medieval setting. Check. Wizards and Witches. Check. Young, ordinary man from an isolated village who discovers he has a special destiny. Check. Boy finds out he has to set out on a quest. Check.

This time, McIntosh’s hero is Torkyn Gynt, a young boy from a village in the land of Tallinor (or Tal). Although a commoner, Tor is nevertheless special; he has magic abilities that seem limitless. This, however, poses a huge problem in a land where people with similar gifts are caught, cut off from their powers, and branded. Thus, Tor learnt from an early age to elude the inquisitors, led by a monster of a man called Goth, who roams from village to village searching for people like Tor.

One day, Tor’s patience snaps when he witnesses the inquisitors at work. He is nearly exposed but a mysterious man comes to his rescue. This man, who has special abilities too, insists that Tor is no longer safe in the village and takes him to the royal palace to be trained as a physician. Thus begins Tor's grand adventure, which includes an enchanted forest, a hawk that speaks, a god-like enemy, and a destiny that he is supposed to fulfil.

It’s not difficult to be drawn into the story as it is fast-paced and engaging. Needless to say, Tor’s quest is not easily fulfilled. Our poor hero has to go through quite a bit to get to the last page. McIntosh has a penchant for making her characters suffer (mentally, physically – the works), and you may squirm at some of the characters’ fates.

Interestingly, the story has a lot of Christian imagery. For one, the big quest in the books is to find the members of the “Trinity” – three people who are supposed to stop this terrible creature who will soon escape his prison. Tor also has to go through a sacrifice that is decidedly Christ-like in nature.

While it is fascinating to dwell on Trinity’s Christian connections, the experience is marred by poorly drawn characters; they are unrealistic and often behave in ways that defy logic.

The good guys in the Trinity series are paragons of virtue. Not only do the people of the kingdom love Tor, the king and queen adore him. His lover, Alyssa, is equally loved. So virtuous and wonderful is she, that she not only forgives King Lorys for his actions against Tor, but welcomes his romantic attentions later!

Never mind that his sickly queen, Nyria, who is equally lovely and virtuous, is still alive. Nyria, on the other hand, rather than being worried that her husband has his eyes on Alyssa, feels “no animosity towards the girl.”

Wow. With all these nice people, why should there ever be conflict in the land?

Here’s where the bad guys come in. They are namely Goth and the witch, Xantia – both are heinous and without a redeeming quality. They cackle and gloat while witnessing the executions of their enemies and their main purpose in life, apparently, is to cause as much grief as possible to others.

If you do not find these minus points irritating, you may actually enjoy the sweeping tale. It’s a light, fast-paced and fun read. But those spoiled by authors who create fascinating and deep characters (such as Robin Hobb) may be frustrated by the characters and like me, struggle to reach the predictable end.

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