| Book Review | Jennifer Hairfield |
"Doppelganger"
by: Marie Brennan
"Doppelganger" is Marie Brennan's debut novel. Like most
fantasy novels it takes place during the
Medieval/Renaissance times. In the story we have witches,
magic, hunters, temple dancers, etc. With any good fantasy
novel there's a map in the very beginning to actually show
the area the story takes place in but, in reality, the
story's directions are done well enough that the map is not
necessarily needed.
The story's main characters are Mirage, former temple dancer
turned Hunter, and Miryo, a witch-in-training. The chapters
alternate between Mirage and Miryo, until they meet, giving
the reader a look at the differences in their lives. We
start off with Mirage and meet her best friend and fellow
Hunter, Eclipse. Together they are sent on a very special
mission that may cost them their lives but if they are
successful they'll get three boons from the witches to use
whenever they deem necessarily. It is their job to find out
who killed a high ranking witch, Tari-nakana, and who was
behind the assassination. Throughout the hunt there are tons
of intrigue, fights, assassination attempts, and plenty of
cloak and dagger.
Miryo's world is almost a complete 180 from Mirage's. Her
days are filled with studying for her final test to become a
full magic-working witch. While at the test a snafu happens
and it becomes a life and death situation for Miryo. The
head witches, the Primes, have figured out that when she was
born and the ritual was done a doppelganger was created but
not killed. Miryo has to track it down and kill it by hand
without any magical assistance in order to fully become a
magic wielding witch. Her quest leads her to Mirage.
Does Mirage and Miryo fight? Does someone die? Will Miryo
become a full witch or do they work together and figure a
way around the rules from centuries ago? The will to survive
plays a strong role within the story but is it strong enough
to get both of them through this fight?
The descriptions used in this novel are done wonderfully
throughout the story. Relationships between Mirage and
Eclipse are shown with great relish that soon encompasses
Miryo, very much like a family. Even though the novel has
good construction the story does seem to drag throughout.
The idea is wonderful but excitement is lacking especially
in the fight scenes. If you like light fantasy and family
dynamics this is a novel to pick up.