Book
review:
THE
MIGHT (2015) by Siri Pettersen
(Book 3 of the RAVEN RINGS trilogy)
(Original Norwegian title: EVNA)
I have read the original
Norwegian edition of Book 1 and 2 in this series. I was thoroughly
hooked, and had to read the 3rd
and concluding book. (Which is no small feat! There's not much modern
fantasy that I enjoy.)
THE MIGHT is not in any way a
”standalone” novel. The only proper way to read it is as the
final part of the epic fantasy story of Hirka, a teenage girl who
becomes a woman in her quest to survive and master a strange and
often hostile world.
The brisk writing style, rich
worldbuilding and complex characterizations are still as good as in
the previous books. In fact, the ”shades of gray” in the
characters become even subtler. As a writer, I really appreciate how
Siri Pettersen doesn't settle for cardboard characters or
simplistically evil villains.
For example: A neat twist among
many is when a particularly nasty villainous figure turns out to be
driven not by hatred or lust for power, but rather by a
dispassionate, bureaucratic fixation on ”order.”
Though if
you want fiery passions, bursts of magical power, epic battles,
showdowns with destiny, strange imaginary worlds and great upheavals,
then THE MIGHT delivers in spades. I won't spoil the ending, but I
think it should satisfy most readers.
The plot element called
”The Might”, which is sort of this trilogy's equivalent to The
Force in STAR WARS, was the part I found the most difficult to
understand. So I focused on finding out how well it was used and
depicted as a part of the story.
The plot focuses more
intensely on The Might in this book, and how it might be used as a
force for change. Here an overt message emerges: even in a fantasy
setting, one cannot escape politics.
The Might is power, but
it can't be made to vanish like Tolkien's famous rings – and people
want that power to feel truly alive and free – so it has to be
channeled. That's where Hirka changes from being merely a person
gaining power, to a woman with a political vision – and visions are
important to people, for good and ill.
It's only fair to
mention that there's more sex and mature content in the third part of
the trilogy, but most of it is only implied. Again, the author knows
when to be subtle.
Look – I don't need to convince you to
read THE MIGHT. I only need to convince you to start on the first
book of the trilogy, and the rest will happen by itself. Let me just
say that I heartily recommend the trilogy as a whole, for both
teenage and adult readers of all stripes.
The Raven Rings Trilogy is
a captivating experience with its own original vision, confidently
written and very
entertaining.
- Read my review of Book 1, ODIN'S CHILD, here
- Read my review of Book 2, THE ROT, here
#bookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #bookbloggers #fantasy
#siripettersen #fantasybooks #bookseries #ravenrings #ravneringene
