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Book Review | The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso

I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts on The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso. 

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  • Publisher : Orbit (4 Jun. 2020)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 512 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 035651319X
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0356513195

One woman will either save an entire continent or completely destroy it in a captivating epic fantasy bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic.

‘Guard the tower, ward the stone. Find your answers writ in bone. Keep your trust through wits or war–nothing must unseal the door.’

Deep within Gloamingard Castle lies a black tower. Sealed by magic, it guards a dangerous secret that has been contained for thousands of years.

As Warden, Ryxander knows the warning passed down through generations: nothing must unreal the Door. But one impetuous decision will leave her with blood on her hands–and unleash a threat that could doom the world to fall to darkness.

Book Review

I loved being in this world. 

Gloamingard Castle is the perfect setting for the intrigue to play out with its hidden doors, dead end staircases and windows with blank walls behind them. 

Ryx is a fabulous flawed character.  I’ve really enjoyed watching her develop from being naïve and not sure of her place in the world to finding her way (with the help of the Rookery).  She steps up and takes everything in her stride – from the moment her grandmother is missing and she has to take on the role of hostess for the envoy to the politics, intrigue, death and destruction that follows.  I would 100% have fought by her side.  Kessa and Ashe are great too!  One character always raised suspicions for me and it turns out I was right to distrust.  Ouch, that betrayal hurt.  There are a quiet a few archetypes from the major arcana in The Obsidian Tower and I recognised some Court cards too.

I enjoyed the figurative language enriching the story.  A couple of favourites:

“The stars gleamed hard as chips of broken glass in the sky above, watching, judging.”

“Everything was coming apart in my hands like an old garment washed one time too many.”

I’m a sucker for a chapter ending with just enough information that compels you to keep turning the pages and Melissa Caruso does that very well.  This was a story that was hard to put down! 

I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next for the Rookery as the quest continues in The Quicksilver Court.  And what happens if Ryx controls her power …

Highly recommended.


Melissa Caruso is a fantasy author of books of magic, murder, machinations, and mayhem. Her complete Swords and Fire trilogy consists of THE TETHERED MAGE (Orbit, 2017), THE DEFIANT HEIR (Orbit, 2018), and THE UNBOUND EMPIRE (2019). Her new trilogy, Rooks and Ruin, begins with THE OBSIDIAN TOWER (Orbit, 2020) and will continue in 2021 and 2022. Melissa’s debut, THE TETHERED MAGE, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Morningstar Award.

Melissa is a fantasy writer, tea drinker, larper, mom, and all-around geek. Despite being born on the summer solstice and going to school in an old mansion with a secret door, she has yet to develop any known superpowers. She lives in Massachusetts with her video game designer husband and two superlative daughters, and has been known to do battle in ballgowns. Twitter : @melisscaru

I'm passionate about helping others to find a centre of calm. On my mental well-being journey I've qualified in different 'therapies' including Mindfulness and as a Mental Health First Aider.  I took my love of crochet one step further too with a crochet diploma.  Join me on:  Substack | Twitter  |   Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  LinkedIn  |  Threads Read More Behind the Scenes

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