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Astreiant #3
Point of Dreams
The city of Astreiant has gone crazy with enthusiasm for a new play, "The Drowned Island," a lurid farrago of melodrama and innuendo. Pointsman Nicolas Rathe is not amused, however, at a real dead body on stage and must investigate. A string of murders follow, perhaps related to the politically important masque that is to play on that same stage. Rathe must once again recruit the help of his lover, former soldier Philip Eslingen, whose knowledge of actors and the stage, and of the depths of human perversity and violence, blends well with Rathe's own hard-won experience with human greed and magical mayhem.
Their task is complicated by the season, for it is the time of year when the spirits of the dead haunt the city and influence everyone, and also by the change in their relationship when the loss of Philip's job forces him to move in with Nicolas. Mystery, political intrigue, floral magic, astrology, and romance--both theatrical and personal--combine to make this a compelling read. A winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Speculative Fiction.
Their task is complicated by the season, for it is the time of year when the spirits of the dead haunt the city and influence everyone, and also by the change in their relationship when the loss of Philip's job forces him to move in with Nicolas. Mystery, political intrigue, floral magic, astrology, and romance--both theatrical and personal--combine to make this a compelling read. A winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Speculative Fiction.
314 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2001
13 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Scott
100 books445 followersScott studied history at Harvard College and Brandeis University, and earned her PhD. in comparative history. She published her first novel in 1984, and has since written some two dozen science fiction and fantasy works, including three co-authored with her partner, Lisa A. Barnett.
Scott's work is known for the elaborate and well-constructed settings. While many of her protagonists are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, this is perfectly integrated into the rest of the story and is rarely a major focus of the story. Shadow Man, alone among Scott's works, focuses explicitly on issues of sexuality and gender.
She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction in 1986, and has won several Lambda Literary Awards.
In addition to writing, Scott also teaches writing, offering classes via her website and publishing a writing guide.
Scott lived with her partner, author Lisa A. Barnett, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for 27 years, until the latter's death of breast cancer on May 2, 2006.
Scott's work is known for the elaborate and well-constructed settings. While many of her protagonists are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, this is perfectly integrated into the rest of the story and is rarely a major focus of the story. Shadow Man, alone among Scott's works, focuses explicitly on issues of sexuality and gender.
She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction in 1986, and has won several Lambda Literary Awards.
In addition to writing, Scott also teaches writing, offering classes via her website and publishing a writing guide.
Scott lived with her partner, author Lisa A. Barnett, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for 27 years, until the latter's death of breast cancer on May 2, 2006.
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April 12, 2018Loved this. Love the whole series. The writing is so smooth and assured, with so much left between the lines. The world is intricately constructed, the mystery elegantly developed, the romance beautifully understated. This is the kind of writing that feels effortless, which of course means it was anything but.
This reminds me of how fantasy used to make me feel, which is to say, why I spent years reading very little else. I would rather be in these books than not, that's all.
Edit: Yes I am rereading this entire series without stopping. This one may be my fave: depth of feeling lightly drawn and an absolutely terrific magical murder weapon.
This reminds me of how fantasy used to make me feel, which is to say, why I spent years reading very little else. I would rather be in these books than not, that's all.
Edit: Yes I am rereading this entire series without stopping. This one may be my fave: depth of feeling lightly drawn and an absolutely terrific magical murder weapon.
March 23, 2022
Very enjoyable update to the series!!
I appreciated that there was more romance/relationship in this one than in the previous book, though it's still extremely understated. I don't mind, but I definitely generally prefer slightly more character-focused books, and this is much more centered on world and mystery. The mystery was super engaging, and I continue to enjoy the world created here, though I also continue to feel a bit lost at times. The world-building is done in a way that sort of assumes the reader knows/can intuit a bit more than is perhaps entirely comfortable, and while I appreciate the confidence, I do wish there was a bit more spelled out.
I appreciated that there was more romance/relationship in this one than in the previous book, though it's still extremely understated. I don't mind, but I definitely generally prefer slightly more character-focused books, and this is much more centered on world and mystery. The mystery was super engaging, and I continue to enjoy the world created here, though I also continue to feel a bit lost at times. The world-building is done in a way that sort of assumes the reader knows/can intuit a bit more than is perhaps entirely comfortable, and while I appreciate the confidence, I do wish there was a bit more spelled out.
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October 11, 2024DNF @ 5%. Totally impenetrable, although now looking at people’s reviews I’m realizing this is book 3 in a series so maybe that was a factor… in any case it gives very Goblin-Emperor-spinoff-series-whose-name-I-forgot and that series was fine but I’m not enough of a fan of this kind of story/setting/character that I want to continue here.
No harm no foul, I was remembering how good Death by Silver was and looking for something else by Melissa Scott etc. on Libby, and this was decent for what it was! Who knows, I might give the series a real shot at some point.
No harm no foul, I was remembering how good Death by Silver was and looking for something else by Melissa Scott etc. on Libby, and this was decent for what it was! Who knows, I might give the series a real shot at some point.
April 15, 2017
Flower-arranging has never been so lethal.
March 10, 2021
Rep: gay mc, bi mc, wlw side characters
CWs: attempted sexual assault
CWs: attempted sexual assault
November 26, 2012
Chronologically, this is the third book in the series I think of as "CSI: Big Gay Fantasy". The mental name is probably an unfair depiction, since the book is much more about the teamwork between Rathe and Eslingen than about their growing intimacy.
This mystery is set against the upcoming power changeover, a situation much like the tulip craze of Holland, and a magically important play. There is also a confluence of the stars that is causing everyone to see ghosts of their past, quite literally.
I really enjoyed how tightly plotted the story was, and how I was almost surprised by the resolution of the mystery. Along the way, there was a ton of good character development, and both the boys learned a lot about each other and something about themselves.
Eslingen is no longer working for the crime lord, which is good on one hand -- it makes his relationship with Rathe a lot more straightforward, but the relationship is also the crux of why he couldn't work there any more. I really enjoyed watching them try to talk out and work out what they mean to each other. As with the other books, there is nothing to shock the censors.
Scott and Barnett's world is rich and realized, ghosts and bulbs and alternate relationships structures and all. Her characters, both men and women, are sympathetic and well-written.
"“The look that says you’re going to track down a puzzle and strangle it.” “Must be why it’s like looking in a mirror,” b’Estorr answered, and turned away."
Read if: You like a good police procedural. You'd like a fantasy world where gender roles are not boring. You long for less heteronormative romances.
Skip if: You don't like solving mysteries. You are weirded out by astrology being treated as real.
Also read:
Midnight Riot for excellent unusual police procedural. Yes, I will keep recommending this book until you read it.
Guards of Haven: The Adventures of Hawk and Fisher Because it's about a crimefighting team!
This mystery is set against the upcoming power changeover, a situation much like the tulip craze of Holland, and a magically important play. There is also a confluence of the stars that is causing everyone to see ghosts of their past, quite literally.
I really enjoyed how tightly plotted the story was, and how I was almost surprised by the resolution of the mystery. Along the way, there was a ton of good character development, and both the boys learned a lot about each other and something about themselves.
Eslingen is no longer working for the crime lord, which is good on one hand -- it makes his relationship with Rathe a lot more straightforward, but the relationship is also the crux of why he couldn't work there any more. I really enjoyed watching them try to talk out and work out what they mean to each other. As with the other books, there is nothing to shock the censors.
Scott and Barnett's world is rich and realized, ghosts and bulbs and alternate relationships structures and all. Her characters, both men and women, are sympathetic and well-written.
"“The look that says you’re going to track down a puzzle and strangle it.” “Must be why it’s like looking in a mirror,” b’Estorr answered, and turned away."
Read if: You like a good police procedural. You'd like a fantasy world where gender roles are not boring. You long for less heteronormative romances.
Skip if: You don't like solving mysteries. You are weirded out by astrology being treated as real.
Also read:
Midnight Riot for excellent unusual police procedural. Yes, I will keep recommending this book until you read it.
Guards of Haven: The Adventures of Hawk and Fisher Because it's about a crimefighting team!
January 17, 2015
When I finished this book, I set it aside with a feeling of satisfaction, as if I'd had a good meal. The mystery was well-done, the fantastic elements of the story and the world well-conceived, the backstory well-integrated and relatively easy to pick up once I got into the rhythm of the plot.
Scott and Barnett write with an attention to detail and a richness of atmosphere not often found in fantasy. The story moves along leisurely, over the course of a few days, and (forgive the clumsy metaphor) feels like dark chocolate syrup, rich, bittersweet, and luxurious. The Italian Renaissance feel (to me, the city seems like Venice) and the stylized social structure is fascinating. The behind-the-scenes theatre action seems true-to-life, at least so far as my theatre experience has been.
It seems to me the society is matriarchal, as all the truly powerful positions were held by women, which is a refreshing change from most fantasy. And everyone seemed to have a mother, but I can't recall a mention of anyone's father.
And I rather like the idea of the ghost-tide, in which our dead appear to us at a particular time of year. I wouldn't mind seeing my paternal grandparents again.
I'll be keeping my eye out for the previous two novels set in this world.
Scott and Barnett write with an attention to detail and a richness of atmosphere not often found in fantasy. The story moves along leisurely, over the course of a few days, and (forgive the clumsy metaphor) feels like dark chocolate syrup, rich, bittersweet, and luxurious. The Italian Renaissance feel (to me, the city seems like Venice) and the stylized social structure is fascinating. The behind-the-scenes theatre action seems true-to-life, at least so far as my theatre experience has been.
It seems to me the society is matriarchal, as all the truly powerful positions were held by women, which is a refreshing change from most fantasy. And everyone seemed to have a mother, but I can't recall a mention of anyone's father.
And I rather like the idea of the ghost-tide, in which our dead appear to us at a particular time of year. I wouldn't mind seeing my paternal grandparents again.
I'll be keeping my eye out for the previous two novels set in this world.
April 26, 2025
Ich habe aus Versehen Band 3 vor Band 2 gelesen. Gut fand ich, dass die Fake-Barock-Zeit auf diesem alternativen Planeten ernst genommen wird, das heißt, alle befassen sich nicht nur mit gegenwartskompatiblen Beziehungsmodellen, sondern vor allem mit Theater, obskuren politischen Flugblättern, Astrologie und den mystischen Bedeutungen von Blumen. Ich finde es einerseits ein bisschen verdächtig, dass die Frage der Kinderbetreuung (im Matriarchat!) komplett ausgespart wird, andererseits beschäftigt mich das womöglich nur aus dem gleichen Grund, aus dem erfolgreiche Frauen in Interviews oft danach gefragt werden und Männer eher nicht. Ich habe bestimmt schon viele in Patriarchaten spielende Romane gelesen, in denen sie genauso ausgespart wurde, ohne mich zu wundern. Dreieinhalb Sterne aufgerundet.
January 29, 2018
Flower-arranging has never been so interesting.
February 13, 2013
This second book in the late-Renaissance series centred on pointsman Rathe is similar at first sight to the first but subtly different nonetheless, as if the two plots belonged each to one of the two authors.
The first was more focused on the mistery, on the action that brings to its solving and it was fleshed out with countless details about the lower-class characters' way of life.
In this second one the mistery seems not to be the focus of the narrative: it rather seems an excuse to examine characters interaction and the ways of upper classes in the same society. This is true to the point that the identity of the murder is quite clear from the first pages, as are his/her (no spoilers from me) motives.
In a way the novel suffers from this choice.
It also suffers from the understated tone chosen by the authors to describe people's feelings. While it may be a good idea to represent the intimate relationship between the leads (two men) as already established this understatement runs so far and deep that characterization seems to be only superficially attended to, it lacks depth: one cannot really relate to any character.
Nonetheless this novel deserves a good rating. The quality of the writing, the fastidious attention to details, the originality make this a worthwhile read.
I feel like complaining about a detail: the authors, to make their point about a society ruled by women, use "her" and "she" when the sex of the person is not known. This feels quite unnecessary.
Another problem, probably another deliberate choice, is that even after two novels the structure of the Astreiant's society and its basic geography are still unclear: the authors never take the trouble of making them clear. Outright explanations are bound to be clumsy, but some background information and a map would be useful.
The first was more focused on the mistery, on the action that brings to its solving and it was fleshed out with countless details about the lower-class characters' way of life.
In this second one the mistery seems not to be the focus of the narrative: it rather seems an excuse to examine characters interaction and the ways of upper classes in the same society. This is true to the point that the identity of the murder is quite clear from the first pages, as are his/her (no spoilers from me) motives.
In a way the novel suffers from this choice.
It also suffers from the understated tone chosen by the authors to describe people's feelings. While it may be a good idea to represent the intimate relationship between the leads (two men) as already established this understatement runs so far and deep that characterization seems to be only superficially attended to, it lacks depth: one cannot really relate to any character.
Nonetheless this novel deserves a good rating. The quality of the writing, the fastidious attention to details, the originality make this a worthwhile read.
I feel like complaining about a detail: the authors, to make their point about a society ruled by women, use "her" and "she" when the sex of the person is not known. This feels quite unnecessary.
Another problem, probably another deliberate choice, is that even after two novels the structure of the Astreiant's society and its basic geography are still unclear: the authors never take the trouble of making them clear. Outright explanations are bound to be clumsy, but some background information and a map would be useful.
March 16, 2016
4.5 stars. So well done. This is a marvellous book in a marvellous fantasy mystery series and this is my favourite so far. The city of Astreiant and its residents continue to capture all my attention. There's so much depth and subtlety and complexity in this story and the characters continue to be totally compelling. The mystery is absolutely fascinating, as is the theatrical setting. It's a murder mystery story based around a big theatrical production. Also going on is a mad flower craze like the tulip mania that went on in 17th Century Holland, which complicates everything further. Impressive world-building, great writing, wonderful character development, political intrigues, bad magic, an engrossing mystery, and a lovely romantic subplot make for a extremely satisfying book. This is a big, rich, juicy story that takes its time and I enjoyed reading it so much. Definitely start at the beginning when reading this series (the first book is the wonderful Point of Hopes), as everything will make more sense. Looking forward to the next one.
September 13, 2017
In some ways the murders are the least interesting part of this book. They matter, and they drive the plot, but it's the thematic stuff going on around and in cause of the murders that I found most interesting.
This is a book about relationships, and the ways they are seen and controlled by society and societal pressures.
It's mostly about queer relationships. The growing intimacy between Philip and Nico and the ways in which they are both drawn to but also unsure if they're ready for that intimacy, is at the centre of the book. When Nico first, unthinkingly, referred to Philip as his leman I think I actually squeaked, because the build up to that point and then the unconscious step across the line was so well emotionally satisfying.
But theirs is not the only queer relationship in the book - one of the things I love about this series is the normalized queerness - or the only one to be formalized as a lemancy. Which means in this book we finally get some understanding of what the term "leman" means in this world. It's not just a term for a lover of the same gender, it implies a long-term committed.
And yet it is also not entirely equal to a marriage. The Avocat Holles, looking for answers in the death of his leman Leussi, is limited by not being his legal next-of-kin, despite the length of their relationship, because they were not and could not have been married.
And then there's the issue of boundaries of class and family. Relationships made unequal by class differences, relationships forbidden by families because of class differences or family disagreements, Philip having chosen his relationship with Nico over his continued employment.
There are no easy answers to any of it, and for that I'm very grateful, just like in real life, everyone is left to muddle through as best they can.
I actually found the mystery somewhat frustrating. There were too many clues, too many reveals that I caught on to pages or even chapters before the characters came to them. Also, some of the plot threads got cut off or ended incompletely, going from great importance at the beginning to barely worthy a four-word denouement in the epilogue.
Still, though, this is an excellent story in a universe I very much love.
Also there's both ritualized public theatre and weaponized flower arranging, what's not to love about that?
This is a book about relationships, and the ways they are seen and controlled by society and societal pressures.
It's mostly about queer relationships. The growing intimacy between Philip and Nico and the ways in which they are both drawn to but also unsure if they're ready for that intimacy, is at the centre of the book. When Nico first, unthinkingly, referred to Philip as his leman I think I actually squeaked, because the build up to that point and then the unconscious step across the line was so well emotionally satisfying.
But theirs is not the only queer relationship in the book - one of the things I love about this series is the normalized queerness - or the only one to be formalized as a lemancy. Which means in this book we finally get some understanding of what the term "leman" means in this world. It's not just a term for a lover of the same gender, it implies a long-term committed.
And yet it is also not entirely equal to a marriage. The Avocat Holles, looking for answers in the death of his leman Leussi, is limited by not being his legal next-of-kin, despite the length of their relationship, because they were not and could not have been married.
And then there's the issue of boundaries of class and family. Relationships made unequal by class differences, relationships forbidden by families because of class differences or family disagreements, Philip having chosen his relationship with Nico over his continued employment.
There are no easy answers to any of it, and for that I'm very grateful, just like in real life, everyone is left to muddle through as best they can.
I actually found the mystery somewhat frustrating. There were too many clues, too many reveals that I caught on to pages or even chapters before the characters came to them. Also, some of the plot threads got cut off or ended incompletely, going from great importance at the beginning to barely worthy a four-word denouement in the epilogue.
Still, though, this is an excellent story in a universe I very much love.
Also there's both ritualized public theatre and weaponized flower arranging, what's not to love about that?
September 1, 2018
I am not a big fan of mysteries where stubborn higher-ups want to stop the detective from investigating a murder because of reason/politics/whatever and they get into more and more trouble because they, of course, investigate anyway. And Point of Dreams started with exactly such a situation which is why I had a hard time getting into it at first. But Rathe got quickly distracted by other murders (lots of them) he was actually supposed to investigate and the first murder was pushed into the background.
The plot about the theatre murders was then really intriguing (and of course since this is a mystery...are perhaps all murders connected? I couldn't possibly say). I also enjoyed how it got deeper into the magic of Astreiant and showed more of it since so far I had very little sense of how it works.
The plot about the theatre murders was then really intriguing (and of course since this is a mystery...are perhaps all murders connected? I couldn't possibly say). I also enjoyed how it got deeper into the magic of Astreiant and showed more of it since so far I had very little sense of how it works.
March 15, 2022
I love this series. I love the strange world (now becoming very familiar), the characters, and the mystery plot. In this one I also liked how even when Philip and Nico were pretty established as a couple, there was still room for their relationship to grow.
NGL, I love books that make me question things and notice things that prompt me to discuss them - I'm reading this series because it was recommended to me by my friend D (and because it's the sort of thing I'd like) and so I've been messaging them with all kinds of things about these books because I love being able to discuss what I'm reading with somebody who knows what I'm talking about. So that's definitely something that's been heightening my reading experience!
And something I want to bring up in this review is one of the things I discussed with D. For context: In this universe, marriage is a contract that comes with legal benefits and rights. lemanship (lemanry, to be somebody's leman) is not. It comes across more as a solemn oath or a statement of intent than a legally binding relationship contract, and it's explicitly stated that it doesn't have the same rights as a marriage; if you're somebody's leman, your leman isn't your next of kin. Lemanship isn't only for same-sex couples and it seems to be more flexible than marriage in many regards: one man is stated to have a pair of lemen, two young girls about the age of 13 are each other lemen. Philip and Nico are starting to consider each other as their leman in this book.
One of the cases in the mystery plot involves a murder in which the surviving leman is grieving, having problems having the case reopened as a murder investigation, and is explicitly stated as not treated correctly in the investigation procedures as well as not being the murder victim's next of kin, despite the fact they'd been lemen for 17 years. It's also stated that lemanship isn't as accepted in the real world as it is in plays and media, for the first time in the series hinting that lemanship isn't actually the standard form of relationship 'contract' in this universe.
This stood out to me because up until that point, this world had been so effortlessly queer, where the queer experience felt baked in and lived in, where it felt normal and accepted and just the way things there. With two queer POVs who have queer friends and colleagues and notice that sort of thing more - that's no surprise. But it also got me wondering, why would the authors choose to include this difference in legal and relationship status in a fantasy series that otherwise felt like both wish fulfilment and a reflection of lived experience? I don't think any modern fantasy books written by my contemporaries would have done that, if they were explicitly and intentionally creating a world where queerness is normalised, because...well, I haven't come across it. So why did these authors include this particular kind of queer pain in a series that otherwise shows all kinds of relationships as equal and normal?
It's not that the answer is some great big mystery. I'm just showing my age.
This book, though published in 2012 or so, was plotted in the mid-nineties around the same time the first book was published, by Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett, who were partners. They were queer women who lived through the AIDS crisis and would've experienced AIDS-related losses first hand. They were queer women who weren't able to have their own relationship recognised by marriage before Barnett passed away in the mid-00s.
Those of us in our thirties and twenties are privileged to have grown up in a world where our people weren't dropping like flies from a disease nobody wanted to treat, and for many of us in the west we've been able to get civil partnerships and in this century, marriages. I think in most modern queer SFF novels authors deliberately include this equality. So, when it's not included it can feel conservative and bigoted.
I don't think that's the case here. I think this was intentional. I think they were acknowledging their own reality and traumas. And I think it's something we can't ignore either - sometimes, the author is *not* dead (even when one of them in this case literally is), and their biographies and lived experience are actually important to the work.
It hits differently when you know where it comes from. I can well imagine other readers reacting negatively to this part of the book, and I understand why. I just also think it would be reductive and in this case literal erasure to insist on it not being there because it's discrimination...yes, that is the point, because this is our history, and for many people in the world it is is still a reality, even today, even with legal protections.
This got away from me a bit, but I just couldn't stop thinking about this, so here, have an essay I guess.
(On a final note, and this is a problem across all three books I've read so far: the editing in these is actually really bad. Typos and poor formatting aside, there is an astounding amount of head hopping - I'm getting used to it by now, but it's confusing and often frustrating, especially when it happens in the same paragraph. I can sort of live with it when a scene transitions from one pov to another and then back again at the end, even if it's confusing and annoying, but in the same paragraph?? ugh.)
NGL, I love books that make me question things and notice things that prompt me to discuss them - I'm reading this series because it was recommended to me by my friend D (and because it's the sort of thing I'd like) and so I've been messaging them with all kinds of things about these books because I love being able to discuss what I'm reading with somebody who knows what I'm talking about. So that's definitely something that's been heightening my reading experience!
And something I want to bring up in this review is one of the things I discussed with D. For context: In this universe, marriage is a contract that comes with legal benefits and rights. lemanship (lemanry, to be somebody's leman) is not. It comes across more as a solemn oath or a statement of intent than a legally binding relationship contract, and it's explicitly stated that it doesn't have the same rights as a marriage; if you're somebody's leman, your leman isn't your next of kin. Lemanship isn't only for same-sex couples and it seems to be more flexible than marriage in many regards: one man is stated to have a pair of lemen, two young girls about the age of 13 are each other lemen. Philip and Nico are starting to consider each other as their leman in this book.
One of the cases in the mystery plot involves a murder in which the surviving leman is grieving, having problems having the case reopened as a murder investigation, and is explicitly stated as not treated correctly in the investigation procedures as well as not being the murder victim's next of kin, despite the fact they'd been lemen for 17 years. It's also stated that lemanship isn't as accepted in the real world as it is in plays and media, for the first time in the series hinting that lemanship isn't actually the standard form of relationship 'contract' in this universe.
This stood out to me because up until that point, this world had been so effortlessly queer, where the queer experience felt baked in and lived in, where it felt normal and accepted and just the way things there. With two queer POVs who have queer friends and colleagues and notice that sort of thing more - that's no surprise. But it also got me wondering, why would the authors choose to include this difference in legal and relationship status in a fantasy series that otherwise felt like both wish fulfilment and a reflection of lived experience? I don't think any modern fantasy books written by my contemporaries would have done that, if they were explicitly and intentionally creating a world where queerness is normalised, because...well, I haven't come across it. So why did these authors include this particular kind of queer pain in a series that otherwise shows all kinds of relationships as equal and normal?
It's not that the answer is some great big mystery. I'm just showing my age.
This book, though published in 2012 or so, was plotted in the mid-nineties around the same time the first book was published, by Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett, who were partners. They were queer women who lived through the AIDS crisis and would've experienced AIDS-related losses first hand. They were queer women who weren't able to have their own relationship recognised by marriage before Barnett passed away in the mid-00s.
Those of us in our thirties and twenties are privileged to have grown up in a world where our people weren't dropping like flies from a disease nobody wanted to treat, and for many of us in the west we've been able to get civil partnerships and in this century, marriages. I think in most modern queer SFF novels authors deliberately include this equality. So, when it's not included it can feel conservative and bigoted.
I don't think that's the case here. I think this was intentional. I think they were acknowledging their own reality and traumas. And I think it's something we can't ignore either - sometimes, the author is *not* dead (even when one of them in this case literally is), and their biographies and lived experience are actually important to the work.
It hits differently when you know where it comes from. I can well imagine other readers reacting negatively to this part of the book, and I understand why. I just also think it would be reductive and in this case literal erasure to insist on it not being there because it's discrimination...yes, that is the point, because this is our history, and for many people in the world it is is still a reality, even today, even with legal protections.
This got away from me a bit, but I just couldn't stop thinking about this, so here, have an essay I guess.
(On a final note, and this is a problem across all three books I've read so far: the editing in these is actually really bad. Typos and poor formatting aside, there is an astounding amount of head hopping - I'm getting used to it by now, but it's confusing and often frustrating, especially when it happens in the same paragraph. I can sort of live with it when a scene transitions from one pov to another and then back again at the end, even if it's confusing and annoying, but in the same paragraph?? ugh.)
November 11, 2024
It was the time when the broadsheet announced the “ghost-tide” returning. The “ghost-tide” brings back those that have passed-on and make their appearance to those they know.
Philip Eslingen has concerns that he is about to lose his position and place with Caiazzo. As he always followed the broadsheets and his astrological signs, he has sought out the best astrologist. Sibilla Meening has always been revered in the Point of Dreams by the rich and poor. Even known in the Caiazzo household and Denizard was the reason Eslingen was willing to give up five seillings, although he would need it.
Coming for guidance from Sibilla, she advises Eslingen there will be personal and professional changes and his world would turn sideways. He would be without his usual armor until it returned to the horse, Eslingens sign. The play “The Drowned Island” would also be a factor in his life. He needed to be wary of gambling as he had even less to lose. There wouldn’t be a disaster, only a mistake would waste time and bring regret. He would eventually find another position. What about love?
As Eslingen has time before meeting with Caiazzo, he walked through the market and even stopped to buy sugar candies in shapes of horses and castles. At the doorway of the pub he noticed how crowded it was and then he saw the faces of the dead men: old friends, some enemies, a winter lover and those he fought beside. He dreaded seeing the ghost, but it was not the ones he feared.
When he meets with Caiazzo, he is well aware of Eslingen loosing his position and place to stay, but he has a plan set. He would take Eslingen to meet with the Masters. He would be tested to prove himself to become part of the “Masters Of Defense.” Eslingen finds it’s not exactly what it seems. His first assignment would be to work on a type of broadsheet for a midwinter masque that has not been published yet and it’s to be kept a secret. Is Eslingen really ready to be acting in a masque?
Nicolas Rathe is adjusting to his new surroundings at the Point of Dreams, with his lateral promotion as Adjunct Point. He seems to do well in getting along with the other points except for Point Voillemin. He is younger and from a noble family, but doesn’t have the personality to deal with people. Rathe especially has the patience to deal with the public concerned about questions with this time of the year of the “ghost-tide”.
Rathe finds himself meeting with Magist Istre b’Estorr and Advocate Kurin Holles. Kurin was close to the Intendent Judge Bourtrou Leussi. Kurin is grieving as he has not scene the ghost of Leussi. The more Rathe finds out about Leussi’s death, they are afraid his spirit has been bound. When Rathe, Istre, Kurin and Chief Point Trijn go before regents, the decision comes down by Gausaron that Rathe is not to be involved.
Events become complicated when deaths crop up at Tyrseia theatre where the masque is being held. What of the strange death of gardener Ogier Grener? A chaotic robbery of Chresta Aconin writer of the Alphabet play? What is the connections of Leussi’s Alphabet, the posy’s, corm’s and his death? What was the meaning behind the chorus with so many nobles: landames, vidames and castellans?
For Rathe and Eslingen, they have a situation of living together. Neither is happy about how they got to this point. They were both hoping it would have been under different circumstances. But for the time being their personal lives will be on hold. They will both be thrown together to investigate the dangerous and odd circumstances of several murders in the theatre and elsewhere.
Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett create a power packed suspenseful tale in “Point of Dreams” the third installment in the “Astreiant” novels. The authors will take readers to the strange world of astrology and how heavily it is relied upon by the people of Astreiant. They introduce the importance of crom’s and posy’s, each flowers name and how they align with astrology. Rathe and Eslingen will follow intense police procedures as each investigation into various odd murders will occur. Readers are also taken into the theatre of Tyrseia Hall and hear of those who operated the mechanics from backstage. Then there is the mystery of the masque “Alphabet” that has several versions and what does it all mean?
Besides Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen the two shining stars of the “Astreiant” series there is a large line-up of characters. First I have to mention, magist Istre b’Estorr, the ghost whisper, who has his own ghost, the ancient King of Chadron.
Caro, Rathe’s mother makes an appearance. I thought, Aliez Sohier, duty point was an excellent addition to the story. There are many more characters some good some bad and they all made this novel intense.
I highly recommend this page-turner “Point of Dreams” it’s a complex and intelligently written mystery that will keep you guessing. The novel surrounds: love, lust, jealousy, power, revenge and death. “Point of Dreams” is another outstanding and entertaining novel from Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett. The next novel from “Astreiant” is “Fair’s Point” by Melissa Scott. Excited to get started with this one!
Philip Eslingen has concerns that he is about to lose his position and place with Caiazzo. As he always followed the broadsheets and his astrological signs, he has sought out the best astrologist. Sibilla Meening has always been revered in the Point of Dreams by the rich and poor. Even known in the Caiazzo household and Denizard was the reason Eslingen was willing to give up five seillings, although he would need it.
Coming for guidance from Sibilla, she advises Eslingen there will be personal and professional changes and his world would turn sideways. He would be without his usual armor until it returned to the horse, Eslingens sign. The play “The Drowned Island” would also be a factor in his life. He needed to be wary of gambling as he had even less to lose. There wouldn’t be a disaster, only a mistake would waste time and bring regret. He would eventually find another position. What about love?
As Eslingen has time before meeting with Caiazzo, he walked through the market and even stopped to buy sugar candies in shapes of horses and castles. At the doorway of the pub he noticed how crowded it was and then he saw the faces of the dead men: old friends, some enemies, a winter lover and those he fought beside. He dreaded seeing the ghost, but it was not the ones he feared.
When he meets with Caiazzo, he is well aware of Eslingen loosing his position and place to stay, but he has a plan set. He would take Eslingen to meet with the Masters. He would be tested to prove himself to become part of the “Masters Of Defense.” Eslingen finds it’s not exactly what it seems. His first assignment would be to work on a type of broadsheet for a midwinter masque that has not been published yet and it’s to be kept a secret. Is Eslingen really ready to be acting in a masque?
Nicolas Rathe is adjusting to his new surroundings at the Point of Dreams, with his lateral promotion as Adjunct Point. He seems to do well in getting along with the other points except for Point Voillemin. He is younger and from a noble family, but doesn’t have the personality to deal with people. Rathe especially has the patience to deal with the public concerned about questions with this time of the year of the “ghost-tide”.
Rathe finds himself meeting with Magist Istre b’Estorr and Advocate Kurin Holles. Kurin was close to the Intendent Judge Bourtrou Leussi. Kurin is grieving as he has not scene the ghost of Leussi. The more Rathe finds out about Leussi’s death, they are afraid his spirit has been bound. When Rathe, Istre, Kurin and Chief Point Trijn go before regents, the decision comes down by Gausaron that Rathe is not to be involved.
Events become complicated when deaths crop up at Tyrseia theatre where the masque is being held. What of the strange death of gardener Ogier Grener? A chaotic robbery of Chresta Aconin writer of the Alphabet play? What is the connections of Leussi’s Alphabet, the posy’s, corm’s and his death? What was the meaning behind the chorus with so many nobles: landames, vidames and castellans?
For Rathe and Eslingen, they have a situation of living together. Neither is happy about how they got to this point. They were both hoping it would have been under different circumstances. But for the time being their personal lives will be on hold. They will both be thrown together to investigate the dangerous and odd circumstances of several murders in the theatre and elsewhere.
Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett create a power packed suspenseful tale in “Point of Dreams” the third installment in the “Astreiant” novels. The authors will take readers to the strange world of astrology and how heavily it is relied upon by the people of Astreiant. They introduce the importance of crom’s and posy’s, each flowers name and how they align with astrology. Rathe and Eslingen will follow intense police procedures as each investigation into various odd murders will occur. Readers are also taken into the theatre of Tyrseia Hall and hear of those who operated the mechanics from backstage. Then there is the mystery of the masque “Alphabet” that has several versions and what does it all mean?
Besides Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen the two shining stars of the “Astreiant” series there is a large line-up of characters. First I have to mention, magist Istre b’Estorr, the ghost whisper, who has his own ghost, the ancient King of Chadron.
Caro, Rathe’s mother makes an appearance. I thought, Aliez Sohier, duty point was an excellent addition to the story. There are many more characters some good some bad and they all made this novel intense.
I highly recommend this page-turner “Point of Dreams” it’s a complex and intelligently written mystery that will keep you guessing. The novel surrounds: love, lust, jealousy, power, revenge and death. “Point of Dreams” is another outstanding and entertaining novel from Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett. The next novel from “Astreiant” is “Fair’s Point” by Melissa Scott. Excited to get started with this one!
July 8, 2018
What a delightful series this is. And it’s such a good blend of my favorite genres - mysteries, fantasy, and queer romance.
February 20, 2019
when i say “fun matriarchal renaissance-fantasy police procedural with astrology magic, flower magic, tea, theatre, and low-key background romance” is your immediate response “yes, i want to read that right now”? GOOD. read this series!!!! the only word i can properly use for it is delightful. it just delights me! and this one was about the theatre and flowers, two of my favorite things, and what can i say when something just knows the way to my heart so precisely?? i’m defenseless, you know?
August 14, 2023
What I wanted the Grief of Stones to be.
June 21, 2022
Much good, very enjoy
August 28, 2015
I think I preferred this book to the first one, which was brilliant don't get me wrong. I just love Nico and Philp being lemen together it makes me so happy. And I adore how Scott and Barnett write their relationship, it is there, but also so subtle making the moments of tenderness more heart moving and wonderful.
I really want all my books to be set in this world, where everyone is bisexual and it doesn't matter. Nico and Philip are lemen and its just the perfect setting for a story that is driven my a crime and murder. Before finding Astreiant I read Scott's Julian Lynes and Ned Mathey series and adored the books but I think Point Of Dreams even tops those series I just loved the suspense and the angst that comes with loving someone. Nico is completely besotted and in love with Philip but finds it hard to admit it to himself which I find adorable!
Point Of Drams starts quite soon after Points Of Knives, where Nico has been promoted to Adjasent Point of Dreams and Philip is working as Master of Swords in a play that is causing quite a few unusual deaths. This book still has the astrology aspect as the lives of these people run on the stars but now the language of flowers is bought in, as the murders seem to be linked to them. On of the things that I lobe about this series is that we get to explore the whole world not just the normal people. Rathe has some powerful friends and knows how to interact with people with money and people without.
I almost forgot about the ghosts, a part of this tale I really enjoyed as we delved into the people that have stuck around our heroes the people who can't seem to let go and I wish we has seen more of Philip's ghosts because of war and the friends he must have lost. I want to know more about Philips past and how he feels now he is away from the regiment.
This is a 5 star novel for me and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery/ thriller/ fantasy. I mean really what more could you want?
I really want all my books to be set in this world, where everyone is bisexual and it doesn't matter. Nico and Philip are lemen and its just the perfect setting for a story that is driven my a crime and murder. Before finding Astreiant I read Scott's Julian Lynes and Ned Mathey series and adored the books but I think Point Of Dreams even tops those series I just loved the suspense and the angst that comes with loving someone. Nico is completely besotted and in love with Philip but finds it hard to admit it to himself which I find adorable!
Point Of Drams starts quite soon after Points Of Knives, where Nico has been promoted to Adjasent Point of Dreams and Philip is working as Master of Swords in a play that is causing quite a few unusual deaths. This book still has the astrology aspect as the lives of these people run on the stars but now the language of flowers is bought in, as the murders seem to be linked to them. On of the things that I lobe about this series is that we get to explore the whole world not just the normal people. Rathe has some powerful friends and knows how to interact with people with money and people without.
I almost forgot about the ghosts, a part of this tale I really enjoyed as we delved into the people that have stuck around our heroes the people who can't seem to let go and I wish we has seen more of Philip's ghosts because of war and the friends he must have lost. I want to know more about Philips past and how he feels now he is away from the regiment.
This is a 5 star novel for me and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery/ thriller/ fantasy. I mean really what more could you want?
January 10, 2016
it was diminishing returns with the second book, Point of Dreams, as Nico and Philip investigate strange murders at the playhouse. I felt there was too little time exploring how they felt about each other - even as past loves were thrown in to the mix, it felt like all the relationship stuff happened offstage (lol pun unintended), only so they could bring it to the fore to hammer home a pertinent point to the mystery.
I also felt the crime was ridiculously easy to solve, and was really annoyed that all this detective work was happening while the VERY OBVIOUS culprit was basically waving this book's version of the Checkov's gun not just in the first act, but every single time they were on the page.
I also felt the crime was ridiculously easy to solve, and was really annoyed that all this detective work was happening while the VERY OBVIOUS culprit was basically waving this book's version of the Checkov's gun not just in the first act, but every single time they were on the page.
August 1, 2025
Read the five books in the series in a weekend. Consummate world-building—I lived in Astreiant, knew the streets, feared the river, ducked into taverns out of the rain. Effortless layering of small details to create an immersive experience. The plots kept things rattling along, with a suitable blend of decent / amoral / villainous / stupid characters. Yes, the romance is just a bit too understated and yes, that was mildly disappointing. But I pulled myself out of Scott's world just long enough to subscribe to her Patreon and start to look forward to book 6.
July 20, 2015
Still hitting EVERYTHING I LOVE. Some of the theatre stuff got a bit impenetrable at times, but it didn't take away from the book.
June 24, 2025
The Astreiant books are one of my favorite fantasy mystery series – heck, one of my favorite mystery series, period. The main character is the city itself, honestly, a Renaissance-flavored city where the stars you were born under really do control your destiny. Our heroes are Nicolas Rathe, a very scrupulous Pointsman (essentially a police Detective) and former merc Philip Eslingen, who now finds himself having to teach combat to a bunch of aristocrats in preparation for a play to be presented to the queen. Said play involves the use of combinations of flowers to create magical (and sometimes fatal) effects.
And then, as happens sometimes in mysteries, someone is found Murdered under mysterious circumstances. Whodunnit? Who will be next? Will Our Heroes ever get a break? And the play must go on!
It’s essentially a fantasy police procedural with astrology, necromancy, and deadly flower magic, as well as some fantastic character arcs. A little reminiscent of Patrick Samphire’s Mennik Thorn books, a little reminiscent of some of the BBC detective shows I’ve watched. The pace is leisurely as clues are gathered and the tension builds beautifully. And I love that as the series progresses, Things are happening in the background with no apparent relation to the story--yet. Highly recommended (you'll want to read them in order)
And then, as happens sometimes in mysteries, someone is found Murdered under mysterious circumstances. Whodunnit? Who will be next? Will Our Heroes ever get a break? And the play must go on!
It’s essentially a fantasy police procedural with astrology, necromancy, and deadly flower magic, as well as some fantastic character arcs. A little reminiscent of Patrick Samphire’s Mennik Thorn books, a little reminiscent of some of the BBC detective shows I’ve watched. The pace is leisurely as clues are gathered and the tension builds beautifully. And I love that as the series progresses, Things are happening in the background with no apparent relation to the story--yet. Highly recommended (you'll want to read them in order)
November 14, 2021
Enjoyable, but I didn't like it as much as the first book. Philip and Nico are entertaining characters and it's nice to see their relationship develop, plus I like the setting and world that the authors have constructed. On the down side, the mystery plot is very convoluted but never quite emotionally engaging to me, so I wasn't all that interested in its resolution. Also, and I'm kind of surprised to be saying this because I dislike clunky exposition, this series could use a lot more exposition. There are a ton of characters, a complicated political system that we're meant to follow because it's crucial to several plot points, a lot of made-up vocabulary to learn, plus a super complicated and again crucial astrological system. I like the idea that, for example, actors have a patron saint/god who they invoke when they curse whereas the university folk follow a different god, but a lot of the details are really hard to follow when they come at you without explanation. And, like much of the world-building here, when they are crucial to understanding a scene if not the whole plot! So if nothing else a couple of appendices with explanations of the politics, geography, and religion of the world would be very helpful.
May 1, 2019
Having read two books in the Astreiant series, I want to describe them as balanced. Procedural cop drama with an exemplary treatment of magic (consistent logic balanced against breathless wonder). Characters that obey the same rhythm of everyday life that you and I are bound to, even as corpses pile up. Seasons change, stars align, the logic of mercantilism and social class rule all.
This constraints of internal logic and societal organization ground the book in a way necessary to run a procedural mystery. Familiar story beats appear: the body, the autopsy, the report, digging through records, the supervisor with her hands tied, all the good stuff.
Since I'm here and I'm me, I might as well talk about Ghost in the Shell SAC. The atmosphere is completely different, but the feeling of otherworldly cop drama ia comparable. The characters solve mysteries that rely on the logic of their world, so as they find the body and the killer, you learn about what's possible in it.
My only real complaint is that the motives of the killer in the end don't fully make sense. The characters themselves admit it. Not that it really takes away from the book; Astreiant is journey, not destination.
This constraints of internal logic and societal organization ground the book in a way necessary to run a procedural mystery. Familiar story beats appear: the body, the autopsy, the report, digging through records, the supervisor with her hands tied, all the good stuff.
Since I'm here and I'm me, I might as well talk about Ghost in the Shell SAC. The atmosphere is completely different, but the feeling of otherworldly cop drama ia comparable. The characters solve mysteries that rely on the logic of their world, so as they find the body and the killer, you learn about what's possible in it.
My only real complaint is that the motives of the killer in the end don't fully make sense. The characters themselves admit it. Not that it really takes away from the book; Astreiant is journey, not destination.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 18, 2024This is the second novel-length entry in the series that began with "Point of Hopes," set in a world where the stars do in fact steer one's fate. The perspective shifts between two very likable viewpoint characters: Rathe, who is roughly the equivalent of a city police officer, and Eslingen, a former soldier. There are murders, a behind-the-scenes look at a theater production, and ominous flower arrangements (yes, flower arrangements).
The book was a pleasure, particularly the partnership between Rathe and Eslingen. Their care for each other gentles the murder mystery, though jeopardy and gruesome moments remain.
Four out of five hedgebroom stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
The book was a pleasure, particularly the partnership between Rathe and Eslingen. Their care for each other gentles the murder mystery, though jeopardy and gruesome moments remain.
Four out of five hedgebroom stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
May 12, 2018
Shame they changed the narrator for this book. Matt Leisy who did Astreiant, #1 & 1.5 was excellent, very clear and easy to understand, and his regional accents were spot on. Mark Mullaney who narrated this one is so bad I almost stopped listening. His "British" accents are painful to British ears, and he mispronounces so many words in what I can only assume is an attempt to make them sound "British" that it becomes distracting and hard to follow the story. His website claims he can do British, Irish and Cockney accents, but if you listen to the audio examples you realise he went to the same dialogue coach as Dick Van Dyke.
April 27, 2022
5 stars
Oh this was good! From the delightfully but quietly creepy concept of Ghost tide to the inner workings of the theatre and a very unique and slightly eerie mystery this plot had it all. The world building in this series is so excellent and it's so easy to sink into a city and a world that just feels real and lived in.
I enjoyed seeing the progress in Nico and Philips relationship in this one as well, as well as the gentle hammering out of things as that progress happened. Overall this was an absolutely delightful mix of fantasy and mystery and most definitely my flavor. The next two (and any future volumes) are most decidedly on my list.
Oh this was good! From the delightfully but quietly creepy concept of Ghost tide to the inner workings of the theatre and a very unique and slightly eerie mystery this plot had it all. The world building in this series is so excellent and it's so easy to sink into a city and a world that just feels real and lived in.
I enjoyed seeing the progress in Nico and Philips relationship in this one as well, as well as the gentle hammering out of things as that progress happened. Overall this was an absolutely delightful mix of fantasy and mystery and most definitely my flavor. The next two (and any future volumes) are most decidedly on my list.
February 15, 2024
The main problem with this book is that, by virtue of the fact that it IS a book, the inevitable conclusion of the book is very obvious but there's no reason for the characters to know that they are, in fact, in a book and that disparate plot elements must come together a certain way.
Which kind of got in the way of enjoying the progression because I kept thinking "did they notice the thing that the narrator is careful to point out to me?"
But the world and characters were definitely worth spending time with and on and I was glad for having read it even if the plot is definitely the weakest part of the story.
Which kind of got in the way of enjoying the progression because I kept thinking "did they notice the thing that the narrator is careful to point out to me?"
But the world and characters were definitely worth spending time with and on and I was glad for having read it even if the plot is definitely the weakest part of the story.
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