The High Priest and the Idol (Lyremouth Chronicles, #4) by Jane Fletcher

The High Priest and the Idol by Jane Fletcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I didn’t mean to read a book in-between finishing this one and attempting to write a review, but I did. Makes it harder now to write a review.

This is the final book in this particular series, and a definite let-down from the prior book in the series. This is not my least favorite book in the series, though. In fact it might even be my second favorite – the first book in the series was, I noted ‘vaguely interesting, vaguely boring’. Well I never really felt bore, per se, with this book here. Though there were certain things that frustrated me – namely how incredibly naïve Jemeryl seemed in this story (specifically with regard to her ex-lover, and the things to do or not do to ‘stop the crisis’); though the separation of Jemeryl and Tevi for a longish stretch of time, a relatively favorite tactic of this author in this series, was also frustrating.

There were some rather neat ideas explored in this book, namely regarding religion and . . . um . . . other things.

I mention a little note about the book so I’ll have an easier time remembering it later: Jemeryl and Tevi, at the end of the prior book, mentioned where they might live next. The mentioned a particular city/region/village (? – I never did get a clue the size of the place) that had petitioned to join the Protectorate near the end of that book. Well this book picks up a little bit later (I forget if it’s years later, a month, or what), with Jemeryl the local Protectorate Sorcerous in the region, and Tevi the head . . . mercenary/guard person.

Fairly rapidly, though, this changes – Jem gets a note (by bird) to return to the capital to talk with the current Protectorate Guardian. Who is new, and who despises the idea of Jem spending time with a non-magic user. Jem fears the worst.

The dude-whose-name-escapes-me does still dislike the relationship between Tevi and Jem, but, other than noting his disapproval again, that isn’t why he called Jem to him. Jem’s ex-lover, a man (a reminder to readers that it’s Tevi’s same-sex desire/feelings that’s the odd-ball in this universe; her people are MF and kill and/or expel (not sure how and/or works there, heh) FF, MM people; while everyone else on the planet, apparently, are some form of bisexual/pansexual/polysexual/whatever), has fled the Protectorate and the Guardian wants Jem to go get him. He provides reasons why he wants Jem to go instead of sending anyone else. The reasons are reasonable enough, though separating Jem and Tevi probably play some role.

Jem heads across the sea (I’ve no real map in my head to what’s going on geographically) to a land of desert like conditions. Reaches an oasis near the city the rogue magic person fled to. People with weapons approach. Jem basically faints, along with the two helper people who had come with her. The fainting spell is super brief, and when she blinks awake again, she realizes she has lost her ability to sense the higher dimensions – she has lost her ability to use magic. She and her helper people are lead to the city.

The city has historically been known as a religious city – it’s the point of its existence (I believe). There’s this temple there that houses many Gods/goddesses, open to anyone to enter and . . . stuff. Now, though, there’s a new High Priest and a new God. And the other deities have been tossed out. That new High Priest? Well, it’s not really a spoiler, is it, to note that it is the rogue sorcerer.

The High Priest has set up a device that blocks access to the higher dimensions – they still exist, which is why spells created and used before the device went online, still work, but no new spells can be released as no magic user can tap into the magic dimensions now. The High Priest sends the Protectorate people back with a message, Jem, though, elects to stay with her ex-lover.

Tevi, due to reasons (like the magpie left behind as a link to Jem going all unmoving and like), heads to Jem.

One thing leads to another and . . . um . . stuff happens. I do not wish to be too exact here. Though will note Holy War erupts; the High Priests naïve idea is to level the playing field, with the belief that if no one has the ability to control magic, then a kind of paradise would erupt. He’s flabbergasted at the idea that anything but magic user/non-magic user divide actually exists (like when he learns Tevi comes from a place without magic users, a place where men and women are treated differently, and a place where women are in ascendance – naïve dude just throws a tantrum and runs away (seriously, the ‘rogue sorcerer’ seems to have the mental abilities of Forest Gump, isn’t evil, means well, but creates a wave of death and destruction because of his naivety.))

Sex: I cannot remember now if it is this one or the prior one that had, suddenly, graphic sex erupt. I do not normally expect that in a Fletcher book, and it seemed to have occurred just the once. I just can’t recall if it was this book or the prior book.

Rating: 4.33

June 14 2018




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