Portal fantasy at its finest with a most unusual twist
Where to begin with the things I love about this book? There are indeed so many points to make!
I suppose, a great place to start is the title and its connection to Schubert’s classical song by the same name. Just like a piece of music, the theme in the book runs throughout the story with brilliant twists and haunting echoes of the main melody. It was beautiful and moving.
The opening chapter, set in London of a potential future on Earth completely captivated me. I absolutely loved every moment of getting to know Alysia on one of her worst days, when nothing went as planned and she felt as hopeless as I often feel when that happens. The way the chapter ends had me in tears and I now realize I subconsciously understood what happened even though it took my rational, conscious brain the rest of the book to catch up. Now that’s genius foreshadowing!
When Alysia pops up in a different world, in an entirely new universe, she is faced with magic, pre-modern living conditions and a colorful cast of characters, but the best part is: her stress-induced aggression and profanity were so, so believable. It made her endearing and definitely connected me to her. Following in her footsteps on shock after shock with each new revelation was an absolute treat and I'll admit I never even saw half the twists coming.
Katz’s style is easy to read, enjoyable and also shows a dedication to the craft I rarely see. Each sentence flows so smoothly. The ebb and flow of the story is perfect to keep the forward momentum while also allowing for those moments you need just to breathe and enjoy the coffee (or kaw as it’s called in Sor).
I also thoroughly enjoyed how this book connects up with Katz’s previous book and revisiting some of the characters from Night's Reign was equally heartwarming and soul crushing. I wish we’d get closure on what happens to one of the side characters, but as in real life, sometimes there are just loose ends that we do not learn the conclusion to, because our own stories must go their own way.
Another element that I really appreciate about this author’s writing is how Katz frames difference. People with differences -- whether that’s in psychological functioning, or whether it takes physical or even medical form -- simply are. They can be found anywhere and everywhere. They are there when you have the strength to actually notice the small differences that give them away, that make them endearing, and that are what we love most about them. I love that although the large majority of Katz’s characters in all his works exhibit some or other form of difference, they do so in the most natural of ways. They simply are and they are indeed a natural part of life. And I truly love them for it.
This novel is beautiful. Filled with many difficult topics and in all likelihood triggers for many readers, I felt each was treated with the brutal, honest truth I can only strive to face the world with. There is no tiptoeing around our human capacity for evil, but there is also good and kindness and so much love, not to mention striving to do one’s best despite everything.
The world building is a true masterpiece. I absolutely love how all the different cultures came across. Katz doesn’t spend much time on descriptions, but gives precisely the right amount in a perfect example of thick description. Cultural information oozes from every conversation and is present throughout Alysia and Garth’s points of view.
Lastly, I am thrilled that this is not a romance. Death and the Maiden explores many types of relationship that go beyond the romantic and I truly appreciated that element to this story. It added so much depth!
Just get this book already! No matter who you are or where you’re from, there’s something you’ll be able to glean from this wonderful novel.
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