The Poet and the Magician by Jennifer Renson

Enchanting, Fanciful, Romantic

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

'The Poet and the Magician' Books and Poetry by Jennifer Renson

Two people on their own individual quests, yet striving for similar goals, to be accepted, and to escape those who wish them harm. Fate intervenes bringing them together, not once but twice, and deciding there is safety in numbers and to lessen their chance of being conspicuous, they make the decision to travel together. However, both hold secrets which they are reticent to disclose to the other, unsure of the level of trust that they hold between them and both afraid that their truths will discourage the other to stay. As time passes both develop a fondness for the other, thereby jeopardising her future happiness and possibly his very existence. Together, they embark on travels to different lands, experiencing things that they have only ever heard of, such as the Festival of Pumpkins and an oracle that tells the woman of her future, making her more fearful than before. She learns that the circumstances in which she has found herself are not individual to her, and the power of her gift, and in turn, he finds his mission one of self discovery in many unexpected ways.

Despite not being one for Fantasy as a genre, I chose to read this book as I have read a novel written by this author previously and whilst that was also not my usual choice of read, I like the feeling of being challenged and having my horizons broadened occasionally, therefore I try to read something that is outside of my comfort zone, maybe once or twice a year. Initially, I was intrigued by the title and how the author had constructed a novel about two such different individuals. The illustration, I was also curious to know more about. I must admit that not usually being a lover of Fantasy, when I saw the number of pages, I was a little daunted to say the least. It did feel like a long story to read, although it only took me a little over three days, although I think much of that was maybe getting used to the way in which Fantasy is written, the unrealities depicted in the story compared to real life, something I have always struggled with, plus the differences within the American to British dialect, which whilst the latter is something I don’t normally have a problem with, it presented more of an obstacle when trying to figure out the world of ‘Fantasy’.

Both the main characters, Fawn and Taikuri are very likeable and I had fun picturing what they might look like. The images changed many times throughout the novel with what they said and did. The lands that they travelled to and found themselves in were surprisingly easy to conjure up a mental picture of, and this is testament to the author’s wonderful ability to write so descriptively, making visions of what is taking place so accessible, such as when Taikuri and Fawn are fighting the weather to get to the checkpoint and when they are purchasing new clothes in Karnack. Much of the story felt like a modern day fairy tale to me, but that is probably just because I am a newcomer to this genre.

It quickly becomes clear that Fawn is running from something. Primarily, I think the adoration that her newly ‘family’ has placed upon her, not really having had that previously and also maybe the level of responsibility and expectation that she sees in her future as a result. Also, from the confines that life will bring about. She is unsure of herself and her ability to adequately return feelings brought upon her and finds it overwhelming. Although it is clear that adoration may not have always been the only emotion directed towards her. Therefore when she realises the level of feeling harboured by her companion, she finds it hard to express her own, and also feels a need to protect him as she is only too aware that, should things not go the way they want them to, he stands to lose a great deal more. Fawn has a very sweet tooth and shows a great deal of loyalty to the ones she cares for, but is somewhat naive, as is shown when she takes items to pawn that threaten to disclose her identity.

Taikuri and the mysterious dark entity was a tricky concept for me and I struggled with a little bit of their part of the story, particularly their final confrontation, but once again, it was only the fantasy element that I found difficult to comprehend. My brain fights anything that isn’t ‘real’. I clearly need to push it more. I saw both men as a kind of Skeletor and He-man type duo. It was an interesting addition to the narrative. Taikuri has a penchant for heights, and gambling. The scene where he is running from the soldiers was so well written, I could imagine him free running using his cane to propel him, dressed in his smartly tailored suit. I have made a note of what Taikuri says after Fawn awakes from a bad dream, as I felt it was very profound, ‘Bad dreams are bad memories that get stuck in your head’. I will remember that one.

To me, Butch was a small viking type character, although I know this is incorrect. He came across as an amusing character and when Jemma is introduced as Fawn’s lady’s maid, and they discuss an element of her past, the penny dropped immediately. When Butch, on realising who Jemma is tentatively attempts to persuade her to assist him and Taikuri, the delivery of the particular action that she informed Fawn she would take, is a genuine laugh out loud moment, as are indeed a lot of the one liners delivered by Butch. The prince calling the doctor an insulting name pertaining to his appearance was also unexpected and funny. I cannot remember when it occurred in the novel, but during one scene where I think Fawn is being hassled by a man, the author writes, ‘With one look and two words’, Taikuri scared the man off.’ This I thought was a very clever way of summing up Taikuri’s reaction to what was happening, and I could well imagine what the look and words were. The dynamic between Taikuri and Butch is very entertaining and endearing. Butch’s constant exasperation with the way that Taikuri converses with Drake is hilarious & depicting Lara dancing with Butch made me smile.

The conclusion was much as I’d expected, but with an interesting twist that I certainly hadn’t, keeping the reader entertained right up until the last page…..and yes, it was slightly schmaltzy for me, but then aren’t all good fairy tales?!