Book Review: The Ill-Made Mute

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Ill-Made Mute     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Cecilia Dart-Thornton
Class/Genre:   SF AND Fantasy
Series: Bitterbynde # 1
Warner, May 2001, $24.95, 437 pp.

In Isse Tower on Erith, the cretin’s visage is so disfigured from poisonous plants that none of the lowest will have anything to do with it. With no memory beyond its’ recent arrival and unable to speak, the creature becomes a drone doing whatever tasks are required, but quickly learns about windships and magic. However, drudgery seems pleasant when Mortier the Master Swordsman makes the urchin his servant.

Needing to escape from Mortier’s abuse, the mute serendipitously hitches a ride on a windship, but is caught stowing away. The youth escapes and is rescued by the treasure seeking Sianadh. He provides her with the name Imrhien and teaches her how to communicate using sign language. Her adventures are just beginning (in this book and hopefully in future novels).

THE ILL-MADE MUTE is an entertaining fantasy work that has tons of action but at times feel more like a string of vignettes. The story line never slows down and the weird world of Erith seems genuine even with flying horses and the non-human wights. Imrhien is a strong individual who will garner much empathy yet remain an enigma as Cecilia Dart-Thornton never explains why much of the realm want her dead nor how she became mute and amnesiac (probably a future sequel). Still, this is a solid fantasy epic and genre fans will want to join Imrhien’s trek across her planet.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner