Isle of Ravens by Jo M Thomas
I would like to thank the author for a copy of this novella in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher – Other Side Books
Published – Out Now
Price – £2.99 Kindle eBook
Experience more tales and myths of the Greenwoods, as multiple characters from legend come forth to tell their own version of events.
One of the interesting aspects of the retelling of fantasy tales is it allows us to explore the gender and sexual politics of the stories of the past. While past millennia were certainly not very tolerant of anyone who did not fit the straight white male landowning templates of the past it is always notable tyo add those characters will always have been there. Their stories may have been erased or deeply hidden. Retellings help us both remember that such communities have not just dropped out of the skies recently regardless of whatever certain fantasy authors may wish to tell us. In Jo M Thomas’ Isle of Ravens we have a very fine novella looking at an unusual medieval story containing itself many stories and has a refreshing take on events.
In the far North at the port known as the Isle of Ravens (which may or may not later be known as Ravenspur) a King returns to tackle an unnamed Usurper. He arrives to find his ally The Earl dead and instead on the throne his not entirely loyal The Countess and in the shadows a pregnant servant we shall indelicately call The Mistress. Aware that a key strategic location needs safe hands The King orders the immediate early morning marriage of The Countess to his loyal yet surprised and reluctant Knight. The Countess is unsurprisingly unhappy at this development and particularly as The Knight is keen to follow his King and proposes he needs every month time to himself. This leads to suspicions as to the Knight’s interest in the King and as the story unfolds, we find out the Knight’s own secret and a battle for power develops in this small Isle as who really is the true heir.
This is another entertaining and thoughtful retelling of medieval folklore. For this dear reader I shall say surprises await and I would prefer not to spoil them for you. What I can say is again we get some versions of other period tales that may sound familiar - a very dutiful minstrel who searches for their dearest friend kidnapped Richard the Lionheart; a tale of Sir Gawain and a number of tales about power shifting. In this story the sexuality and gender of characters will be key to explore the wider tale. It is why the knight’s desire to get back to his King is also under suspicion.
Thomas also explores how gender confines the Countess who is pretty much a prisoner to her King’s commands on marriage. As the story develops we see other characters react to events in a much more tolerant way than those in power. This is delivered beautifully and intelligently. Fundamentally it is a tale of acceptance. Thomas delivers all of this with humour, perception and keeps the twists and turns of the story coming. Once again as with Thomas’ The Knight’s Daughter footnotes are used to illuminate the real histories of the period and where necessary snarky commentary on what we are witnessing making this a hugely enjoyable read yet again.
The Isle of Ravens starts out as a tale of medieval politics but turns into a even more interesting tale of characters who have to learn to share their secrets. Love, honour and duty are all key themes and I think fans of folklore and retellings will find much to enjoy. Highly recommended!
