Book Review

Fortress of Ice
by C. J. Cherryh

This book is a sequel to Cherryh's earlier four-book Fortress series, which I read several years ago and very much enjoyed. It takes place about 15 years after the conclusion of the fourth book, this time focusing on King Cefwyn's two sons. Aewyn is his legitimate son and heir, and Elfwyn is his bastard son whose mother was from a dangerous and sorcerous family. Cefwyn tries to foster friendship between the two boys, but Elfwyn's first visit to court goes awry.
As with the first four in the series, this book is surprisingly and wonderfully introspective, meditative, and subtle. Cherryh also successfully combines these qualities with elements of epic fantasy and political intrigue. It's also a great story of self-discovery and maturation.

(N.B. I would advise reading the first four before tackling this volume. Not only are the first books very much worth reading, they will also make the plot and world of Fortress of Ice make much more sense (even though it has a synopsis of the earlier events).)

Bits of today

We closed the office and left at 10:30 today, because our AC is broken and the indoor temperature had already reached 83˚F. Also, IT was doing much needed repairs to our phone and network connections, meaning we would have neither for 2-3 hours.
I'm going to the orthopedist shortly, where I will find out the results of the MRI and thus what is wrong with my arm and what to do about it. I'll post about it once I'm back.

Relieved

I'm back from the orthopedist and some errand-running in Coolidge Corner. The short answer is that it's nothing dire. I have an overuse injury. I've been prescribed a different anti-inflammatory, and 6-8 weeks of physical therapy. I don't need surgery, and, while I need to cut back on my piano practicing, I don't have to cut it out entirely. And once I'm healed up, I can work back up to my customary levels. I was also advised to continue seeing an Alexander technique teacher. So no invasive treatments, and I won't even be out of commission. I should be able to make a full recovery.