I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Od Magic
by
Patricia A. McKillip
fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by Ace Books on June 6, 2006 and has 320 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Solstice Wood, In the Forests of Serre, The Bards of Bone Plain, Ombria in Shadow, Alphabet of Thorn, Harrowing the Dragon, Song for the Basilisk, Wonders of the Invisible World, Kingfisher, Winter Rose
A standalone fantasy that was nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2006.
My Take
Odly enough, I didn’t find Od Magic to be as poetic as other McKillips I have read. It felt more as though it were a compilation of other of her stories.
All the really important characters end up in the North where those odd elements are explored, discoveries are made, and everyone becomes happy. It’s cute. It’s sweet.
Yes, the characters are ones whom you will enjoy for the most part; there are only three whom you will curse — the brother is a bit of a misnomer.
The Story
Brenden Vetch has a gift. With an innate sense he cannot explain to himself or describe to others, he connects to the agricultural world, nurturing gardens to flourish and instinctively knowing the healing properties each plant and herb has to offer.
But Brenden’s gift isolates him from people — from becoming part of a community. Until the day he receives a personal invitation from the wizard Od. She needs a gardener for her school in the great city of Kelior, where every potential wizard must be trained to serve the Kingdom of Numis. For decades, the rulers of Numis have controlled the school, believing they can contain the power within — it and punish any wizard who dares defy the law.
But unknown to the reigning monarchy is the power possessed by the school’s new gardener — a power that even Brenden isn’t fully aware of, and which is the true reason Od recruited him.
The Characters
Brenden Vetch and his magical gift stay on in their village after their parents die; his brother takes off.
Kelior is…
…the capital city of the kingdom of Numis The king insists that magic be reined in, controlled. His daughter, the Princess Sulys, has been learning illegal little magics from her great-grandmother. Valoren is the kingdom’s chief wizard. Ceta has a new theory about the center of Od’s labyrinth. Wye and Yar decide not to tell the king of Brenden’s presence — contrary to those current rules.
Od is a giantess of a woman who oozes magic and runs a school of magic according to rules laid down hundreds of years ago.
Tyramin is a newly arrived illusionist using some strange magic, who entertains the populace in the Twilight Quarter. Arneth is the Twilight Quarter’s Warden.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a natural McKillip — incredibly jewel-like and very reflective of the story.
The title is basic, for it is Od’s Magic at play.
