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Odalisque: Book One of The Percheron Saga Kindle Edition

by Fiona McIntosh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 215 ratings
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Captured by slave traders in the inhospitable desert, Lazar fought his way to freedom, earning the coveted position of Spur of Percheron. Charged with protecting his adopted city from enemies on both sides of its walls, he has led a charmed life as confidant to and protector of Zar Joreb for many years. But now Joreb is dead. . . .

Though Joreb's well-intentioned fifteen-year-old heir, Boaz, will take the title of Zar, the balance of power lies in the hands of his beautiful and cruelly ambitious mother, a former harem slave who rose to power by the Zar's favor. Aside from Lazar, whom Boaz trusts and respects, the young Zar's only friend is Pez, the court jester, a misshapen dwarf whose tricks and diversions are accepted only because he is known to be mad.

When a stunning young girl is brought to the palace to fill a space in Boaz's harem, both Boaz and Lazar are surprised by their unexpectedly strong reactions to her. But Ana, the odalisque, finds the closeted world of the harem stifling and unbearable. And unbeknownst to all, the gods themselves are beginning to rise in a cyclical battle that is just beginning, and will enmesh everyone in the palace in a struggle for the very soul of Percheron.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Percheron Series
  2. Print length
    482 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  6. Publication date
    October 13, 2009
  7. File size
    1365 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
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  10. Enhanced typesetting
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  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A magnificent setting distinguishes this first of a new fantasy trilogy from McIntosh (The Quickening), who imbues the city-state of Percheron with many attributes of Constantinople under the Ottoman Turks. Joreb, the zar (or ruler) of Percheron, is well served by his military leader, the handsome Lazar, who fought his way to freedom from slavery. When Joreb dies an untimely death, Boaz—Joreb's 15-year-old son by his beautiful, intelligent and ambitious first wife—becomes zar. But not even Lazar or Pez, a dwarf jester whom nearly everyone thinks is mad, can shield young Boaz from the cruel necessities of ruling Percheron. (McIntosh, who doesn't stint on depicting the brutality of slaughter, includes a disturbing castration scene.) Meanwhile, gods and goddesses feud, a new odalisque joins the harem, and a neighboring kingdom threatens invasion. While the author leaves the culture's religious aspects undeveloped, strong characters and an enticing plot bode well for future installments. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“A sweeping, majestic tale of love and bravery, evil and goodness...A truly grand vision brought to life.”

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000OI0F4Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1365 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 482 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 215 ratings

About the author

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Fiona McIntosh

Fiona McIntosh

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Originally from Brighton, Fiona McIntosh moved to Australia in her teens and forged a successful career in travel - running a business with her husband - before becoming a writer. She continues her work and on top of this not only writes at least two books a year, but also spearheads the Fab Fantasy Bookclub - Australia's premier fantasy bookclub. She lives in southern Australia with her husband, her two lovely sons, two mad dogs and two insane birds.

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
215 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

judy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story twist turns always surprises
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
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Most books are predictable and you know the ending within the first chapter not hers never
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well Developed Characters
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2014
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I enjoyed this first installment of the Percheron Saga, although I didn't find it particularly fresh. I felt that I have seen all this in movies and read it in other books. My only other complaint is that the author repeats the sick workings of some of the characters' minds, almost to exhaustion. That being said, the characters are well developed and I felt that I knew them. This is an entertaining book full of action and intrigue. I have already started reading her second book in the series, "Emissary", and am enjoying that too. In fact, it's hard to put down as I am completely wrapped up in the story line!
3 people found this helpful
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RSC
5.0 out of 5 stars No one does psychotic despot like Fiona McIntosh. No one.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2012
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Fiona McIntosh is masterful once again. The twisted minds of some of her characters are fascinating, and as psychotic as they are, the selflessness of other characters renews faith in humanity.

I found myself immediately caught up in the story. McIntosh spends next to no time in build-up, just launches right into events. At the same time, she artfully describes land and culture through characters' memories and current experiences. In this way, it takes nothing off the pace of the action.

The author says that the story was inspired by a visit to Istanbul, and you can definitely see its influences in culture and geography. Some readers are put off by the victimization of women and boys, but McIntosh promises great things for these characters, so it is somewhat easier to take. Not only that, when these characters do come into their own, it will be that much more rewarding for the reader.

I can't wait to see what twist the author has in store. In The Quickening and the Valisar trilogies, there was something late first book/early second book that changed the game. In this series, I think we may have seen it at the tail end, but I wouldn't be surprised to be hit with something else at the beginning of Emissary. I can hardly wait to continue.
One person found this helpful
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Leala Prince
5.0 out of 5 stars Fiona McIntosh
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2014
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The ancient city of Percheron is the backdrop for the lives of Lazar, Ana, and Pez the dwarf.
Lazar who was captured by slave traders, escaped and eventually became "Spur" of Percheron, a much coveted position. Ana is the young girl brought by Lazar to join a harem for Boaz, the young Zar. The young Zar's mother, once an odalisque herself before becoming the wife of the now dead older Zar has plans of her own that were alien to Boaz or Lazar's hopes . The dwarf, Pez, who has free run of the palace is not at all what he seems, having magical powers he later uses to not only thwart the Valide and Great Eunic's but to free Ana from their clutches.
This is a book well worth reading that transports the reader into ancient worlds of myth and superstition.
One person found this helpful
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Elfprincess
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good but lacking feeling
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2010
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I felt that book was very good, the intrigue and plot was very catching and set up for a good time with pondering the plot. However at times when things of matter would happen like death, injury, or the like, many of the characters would think of what they had done wrong instead of rashly declaring revenge. Besides this the book had a supreme cast of characters which are very well thought out. The way the author brings the gods into the story with an agenda of their own is superb!
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fiona McIntosh rules
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2015
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I usually don't read adult fantasy books but picked up one written by Fiona McIntosh at a dollar store and am hooked. Her books are normally trilogies and they are amazing. I have read two of her trilogies and they are great! Don't start her books before going to bed because they re almost impossible to put down. This one is no exception. I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed, only that it ended.
One person found this helpful
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Heather Myst
5.0 out of 5 stars Reminds Me of Carol Berg or Anne Bishop
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2009
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I was very surprised that this book was not rated higher than three stars. There is alot going on plot wise and without giving anything away I must say that this book reminded me of Carol Berg's Rai Kirah series or Anne Bishop's Black Jewels writing. I have enjoyed Fiona's Quickening series and Royal Exile too. This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys their fantasy on the dark side. I think fans of Joe Abercrombie's First Law series will enjoy this book too.
2 people found this helpful
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T. A. Widman
3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars/Good, just not Great
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2009
Odalisque starts out strong, with a great story, fresh setting (for the genre) and great premise. The book is very enjoyable, though McIntosh's writing got on my nerves after reaching the halfway point. She falls prey to telling in place of showing. I found myself skipping much of the description for the rest of the book, and enjoyed it much more. For me, this pitfall is huge...as I try to avoid skimming and skipping when I read. I like to read every word usually, so I can see the full picture and fully experience the novel. I just couldn't do it for Odalisque.

I didn't have a problem with the characters or the move to more "spiritual" plot as other reviewers have discussed. I thought the characterisation and the dialogues were very well done and make for a light and intriguing read. The setting was also fascinating and added much to the ambience of the tale.
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Top reviews from other countries

Robin S ( Bucks )
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2014
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A beautifully crafted book stirring interest in a new series of fantasy . I loved it. Robin
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Bronia Gaujenieks
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read.
Reviewed in Australia on April 22, 2015
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Met my expectations. Very good read.
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Robin Mercel
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2016
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excellent read
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Sandra Hunter
1.0 out of 5 stars Angst, angst, angst and more angst.
Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2014
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Oh man, this series sucked so badly. I kept hoping for a satisfactory resolution to all the freaking angst but it just kept getting worse. It is like the author painted herself into a corner and then took an almighty leap at the end and still ended up on her butt, covered in paint.

You'd think a book with a harem at the center of it would be a bit titillating, wouldn't you? Nope. It was just all sad drudgery and it didn't get any better, in fact it got worse and worse.

And the whole treatment of religion. Sheesh! If I was inclined to be religious at all, this would talk me out of it.

I'm sorry, Ms. McIntosh, I tried, I really did, but it was just so awful.

Note to the Editors of the Kindle version: there are quite a few typos in the third book in particular. There are also continuity issues.

If I hadn't paid for the three books there is no way I would have gotten through them. Not even remotely a satisfying read.
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Alison D
1.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2021
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Does anyone else find the types of punishment dreamt up as capital punishment very disturbing? I have to question a mind that could think up such torture. The idea that we should support main characters of the book that condone such barbarism just doesn’t work for me, so much so that I do not want to continue reading this book.
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