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A review by kerry_handscomb
The Blue Star by Fletcher Pratt
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series edition of The Blue Star was published in 1969 with cover art by Ron Walotsky. Pratt wrote the novel in 1952, and it was the first work of adult fantasy revived by series editor, Lin Carter.
The story is set in a location somewhere like Europe, but with an alternate history, pre-industrial, before the invention of steam power. It reminded me of Le Guin’s fictional Central European state, Orsinia.
On the other hand, in Pratt’s world witches exist with genuine supernatural powers. Pratt’s original twist is that the husband of a witch gains a special ability when wearing his witch’s “blue star” gem, which gives the book its title. He can read the thoughts of people by looking in their eyes.
Essentially, the book is a love story between Rodvard and his witch, Lalette. Rodvard is involved with a revolutionary group; Lalette is fleeing prosecution for using witchcraft.
After presumably centuries of religious persecution, there are now few witches and blue stars. Rodvard’s ability to read minds is a valuable asset for the revolution.
Both Rodvard and Lalette are reasonably well developed characters, but flawed and unheroic. We can sympathize more with Lalette than Rodvard, as the two go through their trials. Indeed, Rodvard is an inconstant lover who has forced himself on Lalette at the outset. The book has a good collection of characters, all flawed in their various ways.
Pratt’s invention is unusual in its parallel alternate history—with witchcraft. I could imagine further stories in the same setting. The Blue Star was a worthy, though surprising, choice as the first volume of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series.
The story is set in a location somewhere like Europe, but with an alternate history, pre-industrial, before the invention of steam power. It reminded me of Le Guin’s fictional Central European state, Orsinia.
On the other hand, in Pratt’s world witches exist with genuine supernatural powers. Pratt’s original twist is that the husband of a witch gains a special ability when wearing his witch’s “blue star” gem, which gives the book its title. He can read the thoughts of people by looking in their eyes.
Essentially, the book is a love story between Rodvard and his witch, Lalette. Rodvard is involved with a revolutionary group; Lalette is fleeing prosecution for using witchcraft.
After presumably centuries of religious persecution, there are now few witches and blue stars. Rodvard’s ability to read minds is a valuable asset for the revolution.
Both Rodvard and Lalette are reasonably well developed characters, but flawed and unheroic. We can sympathize more with Lalette than Rodvard, as the two go through their trials. Indeed, Rodvard is an inconstant lover who has forced himself on Lalette at the outset. The book has a good collection of characters, all flawed in their various ways.
Pratt’s invention is unusual in its parallel alternate history—with witchcraft. I could imagine further stories in the same setting. The Blue Star was a worthy, though surprising, choice as the first volume of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series.