A Unique Perspective and an Intriguing Mystery

Anne Leckie’s latest book "The Raven Tower" is a refreshing break from fantasy tropes. I picked it up after looking for a new fantasy read since most of my experience with the genre is at least a decade old.



The Raven Tower is told in a blend of first and second person, with some chapters feeling more one than the other. The narrator (that is, the first person “I”) is a god. The second person (that is, the “you”) is a transgender man, Eolo. These are both, of course, very unique perspectives in the fantasy genre, and I was intrigued from the start. Anne Leckie handles Eolo’s gender identity very well, letting it be an aspect of him without being the entirety of his personality. Eolo is a transman, but he is also loyal, thoughtful, and observant. We are at a time when diversity and representation is important, and too many authors, I think, make the pitfall of making their characters’ diverse traits be their only traits, reducing them to tokens or symbols. Anne Leckie establishes in the first chapter that Eolo is trans but also makes it clear that isn’t the focus of the story, and she invites the reader to move on. I am thankful for this approach.



Which brings us to the second protagonist, the god, known throughout most of the book as The Strength and Patience of the Hill. Through their chapters we get a long and deep examination of the history of this fantasy world, from the earliest forms of life to the early humans, and beyond. Anne Leckie’s words convey much of the god themself as patient, observant, and thoughtful. She also uses these sections to establish the rules and lore of her world, expanding upon both the history of the world and how the gods interact with it. Gods manipulate the world by speech and must be very careful of what they say is true, lest they overstate or misspeak. Anecdotes and secondhand accounts flesh out the world, and Anne Leckie does a great job of investing the reader in the divine conflicts.



In the mortal realm, and back in the story’s present, Eolo arrives with his master, Mawat, who is heir to the Lease, at the powerful city Vastai. But things there are not as Mawat had left them, and his father, The Raven’s Lease and the Ruler of Vastai, is missing. Here Leckie weaves together a story of political intrigue and espionage, as loyalties and beliefs are brought into question. Leckie juggles a cast that is small compared to other fantasy novels, but she takes the time to show each character’s motivation and place in this elaborate political game.



My only potential complaint comes regarding the ending, which appears rather suddenly. An observant reader could read the signs and see it coming, but it is still rather abrupt and open-ended. Much of Eolo’s story is concerned with the disappearance of Mawat’s father, the Raven’s Lease, and once that mystery is solved the story concludes itself quite rapidly. Understanding whose story is being told is crucial to understanding the ending, and I think those who expect a more traditional conclusion may be less satisfied.



Overall, Anne Leckie’s fantasy debut is an incredible read. The mystery of the Lease’s disappearance combined with the wonderfully intriguing universe and the ambiguity of the divine narrator all come together to make an exciting and gripping tale. If you are a fan of fantasy but tired of the typical fare, The Raven tower is a wonderfully fresh take on the genre.



Adjoa Andoh gives a fantastic performance, juggling the many accents featured in the book and making each character distinct. The depth of emotion conveyed in her reading of Eolo is incredible, and her reading for The Strength and Patience is both comforting and terrifying, as a god should be.