The Raven Tower

by Ann Leckie

In the Raven Tower universe, many gods of varying levels of power exist. Anything that a god says becomes true; speaking a paradox may injure or kill a god. Gods may take the physical forms of animals or landmarks. The story is narrated by The Strength and Patience of the Hill, a god who inhabited a large boulder and later a millstone. Strength and Patience also discusses its long life, from prehistoric times through the arrival of humans. The country of Iraden is protected by various gods, including the Raven. The port city of Vastai is ruled by the Raven’s Lease, a human who is granted vast power in exchange for a shortened lifespan. When the Raven’s possessed bird dies, the Lease must die as well.

Mawat, son of the Lease and commander of Iraden’s army, receives a message that his father is ill. Mawat is accompanied by his retainer, a transgender man named Eolo. When they arrive in Vastai, Mawat’s father has disappeared and his uncle Hibal is the new Lease. Mawat publicly accuses Hibal of foul play, threatening Vastai’s stability and trade relationships with other territories. In particular, members of the Xulhan Empire and their snake god are seeking a new alliance with Hibal.

Eolo discovers that Mawat’s father is being held prisoner in the dungeons of the Raven Tower. He also discovers that Strength and Patience has been enslaved by the Raven. Strength and Patience has been protecting Vastai while the Raven’s power has secretly been weakening. Mawat, believing he is serving the Raven, inadvertently frees Strength and Patience from the Raven’s control. Mawat is then framed for murdering a high-ranking politician. A flood causes a dysentery outbreak and hostile forces begin invading, revealing that the Raven is no longer able to protect Vastai. Mawat kills Hibal and is then killed by the snake god. Strength and Patience states that he has killed the Raven. He vows to protect Eolo, but decides to leave Vastai to its fate.