Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, "The Winter Boy" explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, all wrapped up in masterful storytelling. The Valley of the Alleshi is the center of all civilization, the core and foundation of centuries of peace. A cloistered society of widows, the Alleshi, has forged a peace by mentoring young men who will one day become the leaders of the land. Each boy is paired with a single Allesha for a season of intimacy and learning, using time-honored methods that include storytelling, reason and sex. However, unknown to all but a hidden few, the peace is fracturing from pressures within and beyond, hacking at the very essence of their civilization. Amidst this gathering political maelstrom, Rishana, a young new idealistic Allesha, takes her First Boy, Ryl, for a winter season of training. But Ryl is a “problem boy,” who fights Rishana every step of the way. At the same time, Rishana uncovers a web of conspiracies that could not only destroy Ryl, but threatens to tear their entire society apart. And a winter that should have been a gentle, quiet season becomes one of conflict, anger and danger.
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• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Sounds like the author has created a fascinating world in this book. I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features SIX STRINGS.
I really need to get reading.
DeleteWhat is an Alleshi?
ReplyDeletemine: https://storytreasury.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/teaser-tuesday-night-blooming/
Not quite sure yet.
DeleteThe little bit does bring the Handmaiden to mind and also Sherri Tepper's writings. Hope you enjoy it! My Teaser
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of those. This is all very new to me.
DeleteThis sounds epic and I'm curious about the world building. Is it slowing down the plot?
ReplyDeleteMy TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/02/03/teaser-tuesdays-100-one-more-day-what-if-tommorrow-never-happens/
So far there hasn't been all that much world building. Mostly character building.
Delete