Phil's Reviews > Warrior

Decent genre fiction by Brennan, especially for her first novel. Warrior is set in an alternative universe (perhaps-- the names and places suggest the society may have originally come from Earth...), a largely feudal one, but one also populated by witches. As the cover blurb states, when a witch is born, a doppelganger is created, and for the witch to master her powers (at age 25 or so), the twin must be killed. What happens when a doppelganger survives? Warrior tells the tale.

The first part of the novel tracks two people (the two doppelgangers), Mirage, a bounty hunter, and Miryo, a witch in training. Mirage is a fierce warrior to be sure, the product of the most elite school of 'hunters'. Miryo is a very promising witch, soon to undergo her trials for initiation into full witchhood and magic. One day Mirage, via her sometimes partner Eclipse, get a contract to find the assassin of a high level witch. Mirage finds this exciting if a little scary-- witches have powers no warrior can counter after all. Meanwhile, Miryo fails her test, and is told she must track down and kill her doppelganger...

Brennan does a decent job world building here, but like the characters involved, it is a little thin. The magic system is interesting (based on the four elements and the 'goddess') and is evoked via song. We really do not learn the full extent of the magic, but spells can set up wards, levitate objects, hurl fire and so forth, as well as heal. The witches are based in five different groups, representing each of the four elements plus the 'Void', which is basically outer space. The witches are attended by 'Cousins', who are either failed witches or their offspring. Also, all the witches have flaming red hair.

What is it about redheads and fantasy (and science fiction for that matter)? I have lost track of how many stories feature a redhead. Make no mistake- I am not anti-ginger or anything-- but this is a motif I have never really understood.

Overall, this reads nicely, but could have been more fleshed out. We have a world that has been basically static for centuries, with witches occupying important 'advisor' roles to the various lords and ladies (from the flame branch). Perhaps Brennan tried to pack a little too much in here; it felt like it anyway. Still, I can forgive a rookie writer and I know she has become much more widely known with later works. 2.5 stars, rounding up.