Book Review: The Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold

I recently finished reading this lesser-known work by Lois McMaster Bujold, better known for her multiple award winning series, the Vorkosigan Saga. She wanted to try her hand at a fantasy novel, set in an alternate-reality Renaissance Italy. Apparently, it wasn't a very big success. I find this strange because I absolutely adored it!

Fiametta Beneforte, daughter and unofficial apprentice to a powerful artificer-wizard, and Thur Ochs, a Swiss miner whose main talent is how immensely reasonable he is, meet when Montefoglia is taken over by Uberto Ferrante, a neighbouring lord with a penchant for black magic. They have to save Montefoglia, but more importantly save the soul of Fiametta's father Prospero from an evil ritual.

McMaster Bujold has a lovely writing style. Chapters are alternately from Fiametta or Thur's point of view, and really help to illustrate two highly likeable characters. Either of them would be a wonderful PC for a Dragon Princes game. In addition, the book is interested in showing the majority of the supporting cast as fully-rounded individuals. This has the side effect of making the the violence of Ferrante's occupation of Montefoglia that much worse, as acts of violence are committed aganst characters we've come to know as people. She also clearly cares about animals, which are featured throughout the book - as an animal lover myself, this appealed to me!

The other great use for this book, for a game of Dragon Princes, is in its attitude towards magic and spirituality. The magic system, which involves the invocation and manipulation of spirits, reflects attitudes at the time towards magic, and the role of the Church in regulating or stopping magical acts is well fleshed out. Elemental spirits also play a key role in the book, and McMaster Bujold shows how these elementals interact with folk beliefs.

Highly recommended.

The Spirit Ring by [Bujold, Lois McMaster]

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