The Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood
The Unspoken Name by A. K. Larkwood tells the story of Csorwe, a young orc priestess groomed as an oracle to her god and fated to be wedded (ie sacrificed) to that god. As she prepares to meet her fate, the wizard Belthandros Sethennai intervenes and offers her a choice: go to your god and die or come with me and live. Csorwe leaves with the wizard and trains to be his assassin and all-around right hand or is he terms it "his blunt instrument."
Csorwe helps Sethennai to regain the throne that was stolen from him. Along the way, Csorwe meets and assists a young mage Shuthmili. As Csorwe develops feelings for Shuthmili she finds her loyalties tested.
Larkwood creates an interesting universe that feels partly magic and partly science. The first part of the book meanders a little bit as Csorwe is both trained and educated. As she matures and learns to know herself a little better, the story becomes deeper and more nuanced. This is not a typical fantasy with good fighting against evil. It is a story with more complicated and personal motivations including those of entire societies and gods.
Larkwood does a good job of wringing out your emotions with the trials through which she puts her characters through physically and emotionally. Some of the passages will we'll leave you feeling drained afterward.
Part of the intensity of the book is due to the skills of narrator Avita Jay. Not only does Jay expertly juggle a significant cast of characters but her voice also captures the changes undergone by Csorwe both as she grows from a young girl into a woman and as her maturity and worldview changes. Jay's skill helps navigate a story where characters are not always black and white and alliances are ever-shifting. Her work with this book is worthy of award consideration.
The Unspoken Name is a promising start to a new series. I highly recommend the audio version.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.
Listen to a sample:
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