The Raven Tower

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie, 416 pages

The nation of Iraden has long been protected by a god called The Raven. From its tower in the port city of Vastai, The Raven has defended Iraden from attacks by the Tel (the people on the other side of the forest) and from Ard Vusktians (inhabitants of the city on the other side of the water), both of whom are aided by their own gods. But when our story begins, the brother of Iraden's ruler has usurped the throne, leaving his nephew and heir apparent Mawat bereft both about his father's fate and the loss of rule. Narrated by a god to Mawat's aide Eolo and bouncing between ancient history and current events, The Raven Tower explains the complex ways the current problems came to be. It's Shakespearean in scale and tone, though the choice of narrator is completely Leckie. It's a great, grand tale, and I hope to read more about Iraden and Eolo in the future.