The Oracle's Queen (Tamir Trilogy, Book 3)

I first read Bone Doll's Twin several years ago and was very disappointed to find out that the next two books were not yet written. I forgot about it and then last year bought the last two and finally read them both in the last week. I've been haunted (appropriate term I guess) by everything that happened to Tamir in this last novel for the last few days since I finished the book. She felt so real for me, probably because as a reader you feel as though you've grown up with Tobin and felt all the anguish she had to go through as a prince with such a sad and sorrowful family life. The confusion between her and Ki was so heartbreaking and it was very satisfying to finally be able to see Tamir rightful Queen at last. (no real spoilers there by the way, since writings by Queen Tamir II appear very early in the book) The themes were very emotional. These books seemed more like a woman's kind of read rather than a male's. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series, and especially enjoyed the introduction of Mahti and his cleansing ways. The gay theme was MUCH more interesting in this series than the one in Left Hand of Darkness, which I found to be a rather forgettable novel I read in college.

I greatly admire the world that Lynn Flewelling created in the Tamir trilogy. This third book -- in which Tamir (a girl raised as a boy) becomes responsible for her kingdom, and battles her cousin to prove who the "real" ruler is -- will undoubtedly gratify those of us who have waited for closure to the story. (If you haven't read the first two books, don't even think of starting here.) However, it may help you enjoyment to keep in mind that this story is "about" something else entirely. The first two were exploring identity and gender roles: what does it mean to be a son (much less a prince) instead of a daughter (or princess)? At what point is it right to sacrifice one life for another (i.e. killing Brother at birth)? Those were interesting questions, but The Oracle's Queen only deals with them in the way that Tamir responds to the issues. Instead, this book is about relationships -- with oneself and the people one cares about. Tamir and Ki were close as boys, but suddenly, Tamir has... *other* body parts? Is it still the same person? Much of the book is about the relationships that Tamir creates, or re-creates, or tries to create. It's extremely well done (I suspect that Flewelling could make her grocery shopping list interesting), but it's definitely a different theme. I very much enjoyed the fact that the author kept in mind that Tamir is 15, going on 16. She acts like a 15-year-old -- complete with moments when she pulls herself together and behaves as an adult. Anyway, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. If you've read the previous two books, do not hesitate to buy this one.

The entire Tamir Trilogy is a very refreshing fantasy series and The Oracle's Queen is a worthy ending. Not too long, the story convinces due to the depth with which the characters are developed. Flewelling avoids black-and-white or good-versus-bad storylines, but makes even the 'villains' behaviors and thoughts understandably human. Specifically, Tobin's transformation to Tamir convinces due to the fact that the characters around her and even she herself struggles with her new body and identity.

How long I've been waiting for this book. It feels like an eternity, and now it's over, and I'm sad. It's been quite awhile since I've felt like that over a fantasy novel. Okay, were there some flaws? Yeah, sure, a little. Like most of Flewelling's readers, I'm truly rabid for more about Tamir and Ki's relationship. But I liked the way she handled it. As Tamir slowly severed the connection between herself and Brother, she became more and more female. The confusion and awkwardness in Ki's reaction to her was right on. It seems a bit rushed on the surface, but Flewelling built a strong bond between these two from the very beginning. They grew together, fought together, bled together, and their connection went beyond just male and female. There was, of course, the predictability factor, most especially for those of us who'd previously read her Nighterunner series. But she still manages to put it quite a bit of tension, surprisingly. Even knowing what's going to happen, you can still see points where things come dangerously close to taking a turn for the disasterous. Anyone who hasn't read the Nightrunner series previously would probably suffer from uncertainty at some places in the book. I've always enjoyed Flewelling's villains. The big baddie in this book was particurly fun, especially when you learned more about him. The "villains" are very human, and often difficult to hate. Many of them have good points as well as bad. My first reaction to her dispatching of the main villain was that it was a cop out. But when I sat back and thought about it, I realized it was really quite fitting. What better way for a gloryhound to die than the least glorious way imaginable? It was karma in the purest sense. No matter her flaws, Flewelling writes with such sincerity that you can't help but be drawn in. Her characters are so genuine and real; there's always at least one you can connect with on a deep level. More importantly, she did something that many authors fail to pull off. She took a legend that was only mentioned in passing in her previous books, and turned it into a wonderful, fully fleshed-out story of its own. The only thing that could be more delightful would be more books about Tamir and Ki. Or at least ONE more. Whatever she does next, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

This last book of the Tamir triad had perhaps the most difficult task: the change of Prince Tobin, a girl who was bewitched into looking like her dead twin brother at birth and did not know her true gender for most of her youth, into Queen Tamir must be made believable, to the other players as well as to the readers who have inevitably grown fond of Tobin's finely carved character. I think Flewelling succeeded remarkably well: Tamir really is a woman now, and not just a "boy in a dress". Perhaps even more difficult to depict was the change in the relation between Tobin/Tamir and Ki, from prince and utterly loyal squire into queen and passionate lover. This idea alone is unprecedented in fantasy novels (at least as they are printed out, though maybe not in the minds of some readers) and that alone makes the novel worth a couple of stars. Flewelling decided to leave the exact nature of their relation hanging in the air for most part of the book, probably a wise decision which, however, leaves the reader craving for more at the end. Otherwise, there is considerably less character development than in the two preceding novels. However, we learn that arch-villain and wizard Niryn was a lovable gardener's son once, dreaming of the whole realm of Skala being a rose bush that requires his cutting hand - a nice picture that warns of a view of society which can turn people with best intentions into evil dictators (though the front page mentions Flewelling's interest in Buddhism, this is rather a Taoist philosophy). At the end of the book, the pace increases, and the last 100 or so pages are devoted to the battle between Tamir and her rival cousin Korin. Still, as the two books before this novel, it isn't as quickly paced as Flewelling's earlier books "Luck in the Shadows" and "Stalking Darkness", and though by no means necessary I recommend these to be read before the Tamir Triad for a better feel of this richly detailed fantasy world.