What do you think?
Rate this book
Lyremouth Chronicles #4
The High Priest and the Idol
Jemeryl and Tevi's relationship is put to the test when the Guardian sends Jemeryl on a mission that lands her not only in harm's way, but also back into the sights of a previous lover.
The Protectorate of Lyremouth promises liberty for all its citizens, but this does not mean that everyone is equal. When Jemeryl is summoned alone to Lyremouth, she suspects it is a ploy to separate her from her lover, Tevi. After all, many disapprove of their relationship‚ not because they are both woman, but because Jemeryl is a sorcerer and Tevi is not. The task Jemeryl is given, to track down an ex-lover who has turned renegade on the Coven, does nothing to assuage her doubts. However, old bonds of affection are enough to make her accept the assignment, even though she is sure that she has been told only half the true story.
But Jemeryl is wrong‚ she has not been told even a tenth of what is behind this mission. When Jemeryl does not return, nobody can stop Tevi from going after her.
The Protectorate of Lyremouth promises liberty for all its citizens, but this does not mean that everyone is equal. When Jemeryl is summoned alone to Lyremouth, she suspects it is a ploy to separate her from her lover, Tevi. After all, many disapprove of their relationship‚ not because they are both woman, but because Jemeryl is a sorcerer and Tevi is not. The task Jemeryl is given, to track down an ex-lover who has turned renegade on the Coven, does nothing to assuage her doubts. However, old bonds of affection are enough to make her accept the assignment, even though she is sure that she has been told only half the true story.
But Jemeryl is wrong‚ she has not been told even a tenth of what is behind this mission. When Jemeryl does not return, nobody can stop Tevi from going after her.
327 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Jane Fletcher
21 books200 followersJane Fletcher is a GCLS award-winning writer and has also been short-listed for the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary awards. She is author of two ongoing sets of fantasy/romance novels: the Celaeno series—The Walls of Westernfort, Rangers at Roadsend, The Temple at Landfall, Dynasty of Rogues, and Shadow of the Knife; and the Lyremouth Chronicles—The Exile and The Sorcerer, The Traitor and The Chalice, The Empress and The Acolyte, and The High Priest and the Idol.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 15, 2018
I didn’t mean to read a book in-between finishing this one and attempting to write a review, but I did. Makes it harder now to write a review.
This is the final book in this particular series, and a definite let-down from the prior book in the series. This is not my least favorite book in the series, though. In fact it might even be my second favorite – the first book in the series was, I noted ‘vaguely interesting, vaguely boring’. Well I never really felt bore, per se, with this book here. Though there were certain things that frustrated me – namely how incredibly naïve Jemeryl seemed in this story (specifically with regard to her ex-lover, and the things to do or not do to ‘stop the crisis’); though the separation of Jemeryl and Tevi for a longish stretch of time, a relatively favorite tactic of this author in this series, was also frustrating.
There were some rather neat ideas explored in this book, namely regarding religion and . . . um . . . other things.
I mention a little note about the book so I’ll have an easier time remembering it later: Jemeryl and Tevi, at the end of the prior book, mentioned where they might live next. The mentioned a particular city/region/village (? – I never did get a clue the size of the place) that had petitioned to join the Protectorate near the end of that book. Well this book picks up a little bit later (I forget if it’s years later, a month, or what), with Jemeryl the local Protectorate Sorcerous in the region, and Tevi the head . . . mercenary/guard person.
Fairly rapidly, though, this changes – Jem gets a note (by bird) to return to the capital to talk with the current Protectorate Guardian. Who is new, and who despises the idea of Jem spending time with a non-magic user. Jem fears the worst.
The dude-whose-name-escapes-me does still dislike the relationship between Tevi and Jem, but, other than noting his disapproval again, that isn’t why he called Jem to him. Jem’s ex-lover, a man (a reminder to readers that it’s Tevi’s same-sex desire/feelings that’s the odd-ball in this universe; her people are MF and kill and/or expel (not sure how and/or works there, heh) FF, MM people; while everyone else on the planet, apparently, are some form of bisexual/pansexual/polysexual/whatever), has fled the Protectorate and the Guardian wants Jem to go get him. He provides reasons why he wants Jem to go instead of sending anyone else. The reasons are reasonable enough, though separating Jem and Tevi probably play some role.
Jem heads across the sea (I’ve no real map in my head to what’s going on geographically) to a land of desert like conditions. Reaches an oasis near the city the rogue magic person fled to. People with weapons approach. Jem basically faints, along with the two helper people who had come with her. The fainting spell is super brief, and when she blinks awake again, she realizes she has lost her ability to sense the higher dimensions – she has lost her ability to use magic. She and her helper people are lead to the city.
The city has historically been known as a religious city – it’s the point of its existence (I believe). There’s this temple there that houses many Gods/goddesses, open to anyone to enter and . . . stuff. Now, though, there’s a new High Priest and a new God. And the other deities have been tossed out. That new High Priest? Well, it’s not really a spoiler, is it, to note that it is the rogue sorcerer.
The High Priest has set up a device that blocks access to the higher dimensions – they still exist, which is why spells created and used before the device went online, still work, but no new spells can be released as no magic user can tap into the magic dimensions now. The High Priest sends the Protectorate people back with a message, Jem, though, elects to stay with her ex-lover.
Tevi, due to reasons (like the magpie left behind as a link to Jem going all unmoving and like), heads to Jem.
One thing leads to another and . . . um . . stuff happens. I do not wish to be too exact here. Though will note Holy War erupts; the High Priests naïve idea is to level the playing field, with the belief that if no one has the ability to control magic, then a kind of paradise would erupt. He’s flabbergasted at the idea that anything but magic user/non-magic user divide actually exists (like when he learns Tevi comes from a place without magic users, a place where men and women are treated differently, and a place where women are in ascendance – naïve dude just throws a tantrum and runs away (seriously, the ‘rogue sorcerer’ seems to have the mental abilities of Forest Gump, isn’t evil, means well, but creates a wave of death and destruction because of his naivety.))
Sex: I cannot remember now if it is this one or the prior one that had, suddenly, graphic sex erupt. I do not normally expect that in a Fletcher book, and it seemed to have occurred just the once. I just can’t recall if it was this book or the prior book.
Rating: 4.33
June 14 2018
This is the final book in this particular series, and a definite let-down from the prior book in the series. This is not my least favorite book in the series, though. In fact it might even be my second favorite – the first book in the series was, I noted ‘vaguely interesting, vaguely boring’. Well I never really felt bore, per se, with this book here. Though there were certain things that frustrated me – namely how incredibly naïve Jemeryl seemed in this story (specifically with regard to her ex-lover, and the things to do or not do to ‘stop the crisis’); though the separation of Jemeryl and Tevi for a longish stretch of time, a relatively favorite tactic of this author in this series, was also frustrating.
There were some rather neat ideas explored in this book, namely regarding religion and . . . um . . . other things.
I mention a little note about the book so I’ll have an easier time remembering it later: Jemeryl and Tevi, at the end of the prior book, mentioned where they might live next. The mentioned a particular city/region/village (? – I never did get a clue the size of the place) that had petitioned to join the Protectorate near the end of that book. Well this book picks up a little bit later (I forget if it’s years later, a month, or what), with Jemeryl the local Protectorate Sorcerous in the region, and Tevi the head . . . mercenary/guard person.
Fairly rapidly, though, this changes – Jem gets a note (by bird) to return to the capital to talk with the current Protectorate Guardian. Who is new, and who despises the idea of Jem spending time with a non-magic user. Jem fears the worst.
The dude-whose-name-escapes-me does still dislike the relationship between Tevi and Jem, but, other than noting his disapproval again, that isn’t why he called Jem to him. Jem’s ex-lover, a man (a reminder to readers that it’s Tevi’s same-sex desire/feelings that’s the odd-ball in this universe; her people are MF and kill and/or expel (not sure how and/or works there, heh) FF, MM people; while everyone else on the planet, apparently, are some form of bisexual/pansexual/polysexual/whatever), has fled the Protectorate and the Guardian wants Jem to go get him. He provides reasons why he wants Jem to go instead of sending anyone else. The reasons are reasonable enough, though separating Jem and Tevi probably play some role.
Jem heads across the sea (I’ve no real map in my head to what’s going on geographically) to a land of desert like conditions. Reaches an oasis near the city the rogue magic person fled to. People with weapons approach. Jem basically faints, along with the two helper people who had come with her. The fainting spell is super brief, and when she blinks awake again, she realizes she has lost her ability to sense the higher dimensions – she has lost her ability to use magic. She and her helper people are lead to the city.
The city has historically been known as a religious city – it’s the point of its existence (I believe). There’s this temple there that houses many Gods/goddesses, open to anyone to enter and . . . stuff. Now, though, there’s a new High Priest and a new God. And the other deities have been tossed out. That new High Priest? Well, it’s not really a spoiler, is it, to note that it is the rogue sorcerer.
The High Priest has set up a device that blocks access to the higher dimensions – they still exist, which is why spells created and used before the device went online, still work, but no new spells can be released as no magic user can tap into the magic dimensions now. The High Priest sends the Protectorate people back with a message, Jem, though, elects to stay with her ex-lover.
Tevi, due to reasons (like the magpie left behind as a link to Jem going all unmoving and like), heads to Jem.
One thing leads to another and . . . um . . stuff happens. I do not wish to be too exact here. Though will note Holy War erupts; the High Priests naïve idea is to level the playing field, with the belief that if no one has the ability to control magic, then a kind of paradise would erupt. He’s flabbergasted at the idea that anything but magic user/non-magic user divide actually exists (like when he learns Tevi comes from a place without magic users, a place where men and women are treated differently, and a place where women are in ascendance – naïve dude just throws a tantrum and runs away (seriously, the ‘rogue sorcerer’ seems to have the mental abilities of Forest Gump, isn’t evil, means well, but creates a wave of death and destruction because of his naivety.))
Sex: I cannot remember now if it is this one or the prior one that had, suddenly, graphic sex erupt. I do not normally expect that in a Fletcher book, and it seemed to have occurred just the once. I just can’t recall if it was this book or the prior book.
Rating: 4.33
June 14 2018
July 24, 2024
This is the best of the series. Tevi and Jem are already in an established relationship, allowing the author to spend more time developing the storyline. The plot is fast moving and engaging. Tevi has a very central role to play, even more than Jem, which I liked. It's a shame the series seems to have ended just when the books were getting so good.
May 10, 2012
Another great story in the Lyremouth series. The story did not had exactly the "romantic" scene that I was hoping for, but it was still worth the reading. There were moments in the story that made me feel sad for certain characters and some were I was mad for the naiveness and evilness, which is good. I love stories that give me emotions, because very few do that. It means to me that I am really into the story. I like the ending, since it was a happy one. I also like the change of mood or attitude of one of the main characters, it was kind of expected and unexpected. Surprising might be the best way to put it. Hope to see more from this series.
January 18, 2015
Finishing this book brought an end the Lyremouth Chronicles. I must say, that while the first book in the series: The Exile and the Sorcerer is probably the weakest of the four, it sets up a lot of character building, especially with Tevi. The second book: The Traitor and the Chalice is a direct sequel to the first book. It has more action in it and the romance between Tevi and Jemeryl is already established, so you don't have to worry about building that. Their scenes together are cute. I like them as a couple. They work and they feel real.
Books three and four, The Empress and the Acolyte and The High Priest and the Idol, respectively, certainly up everything from the first two books. The first two books were relatively tame, but these last two get a lot more violent. There's actual bloodshed, there's swearing, the sex scenes are a bit more graphic, Jemeryl and Tevi struggle with doing the right thing when situations get tense, and they're all-around aimed more for adults. I liked them a lot, though my favorite of the four was the last book: The High Priest and the Idol.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend you read The Lyremouth Chronicles. I recommend all four books! :-)
Books three and four, The Empress and the Acolyte and The High Priest and the Idol, respectively, certainly up everything from the first two books. The first two books were relatively tame, but these last two get a lot more violent. There's actual bloodshed, there's swearing, the sex scenes are a bit more graphic, Jemeryl and Tevi struggle with doing the right thing when situations get tense, and they're all-around aimed more for adults. I liked them a lot, though my favorite of the four was the last book: The High Priest and the Idol.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend you read The Lyremouth Chronicles. I recommend all four books! :-)
September 29, 2018
So, to summarize my review: this book was a surprising letdown as the last book in the series, if only due to the last 20% or so.
Maybe that's due to how much I despise useless pacifism that cares more about general hurt for everyone than about stopping individuals doing the hurting. But it's also about how Jemeryl took up that idealistic bullshit at the end, and the only explanation for her rather pronounced change of heart was the weak excuse that she didn't feel it was right for her to seek revenge or justice or whatever the hell it was. Then why was she constantly trying to tell Tevi to not kill Sefriall?! It was clearly not a personal decision if she's applying it to her mercenary partner too. Also, even Darjain decided to not be useless and hand-wringing about things in the end, so for Jemeryl to suddenly want to just ignore everything and move on was odd.
Beyond my bias toward that stupid pacifistic idealism, I feel it was very out of character for Jemeryl to say that shit, even if she was really sad about Ciamon, and feeling guilty about other parts of the mess. Also, for what seems to be the first time ever (that I noticed), Ms. Fletcher dropped the ball for the perfect explanation for Jemeryl's weird mindset: Ralieu's magic-be-gone device actually did give empathy, to sorcerers, and for whatever handwavey reason, it stuck beyond the device's destruction. Because that would've made more sense, and Tevi could've figured it out and clued Jemeryl in, and so I'd be less annoyed about the whole damn thing.
Other than that, it was a fun book with a decent take on religious conflicts and people's failings and excuses and power grabs. But the ending sucked, and I will be annoyed about it for some time to come.
Maybe that's due to how much I despise useless pacifism that cares more about general hurt for everyone than about stopping individuals doing the hurting. But it's also about how Jemeryl took up that idealistic bullshit at the end, and the only explanation for her rather pronounced change of heart was the weak excuse that she didn't feel it was right for her to seek revenge or justice or whatever the hell it was. Then why was she constantly trying to tell Tevi to not kill Sefriall?! It was clearly not a personal decision if she's applying it to her mercenary partner too. Also, even Darjain decided to not be useless and hand-wringing about things in the end, so for Jemeryl to suddenly want to just ignore everything and move on was odd.
Beyond my bias toward that stupid pacifistic idealism, I feel it was very out of character for Jemeryl to say that shit, even if she was really sad about Ciamon, and feeling guilty about other parts of the mess. Also, for what seems to be the first time ever (that I noticed), Ms. Fletcher dropped the ball for the perfect explanation for Jemeryl's weird mindset: Ralieu's magic-be-gone device actually did give empathy, to sorcerers, and for whatever handwavey reason, it stuck beyond the device's destruction. Because that would've made more sense, and Tevi could've figured it out and clued Jemeryl in, and so I'd be less annoyed about the whole damn thing.
Other than that, it was a fun book with a decent take on religious conflicts and people's failings and excuses and power grabs. But the ending sucked, and I will be annoyed about it for some time to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2019
While still a fun and exciting read, what really annoyed me in this book was ONCE AGAIN thousands of people are tortured and murdered because Tevi and Jem refuse to eliminate the threat before it gets out of hand (which also happened in the previous book when Jem felt bad for driving the assassin even more insane she decided it'd be better to let them live as a crazy, powerful psychopath than to kill them). To make matters even worse, in this one, when their friends are tortured and murdered, Jem is all like "Well, it's okay. [The villain]'s plot has been foiled, so let's just let them go, even though they tortured and murdered our friends and these several thousand other people" even while Tevi is calling for justice. I really wanted Tevi to just backhand her.
September 29, 2019
There is something satisfying to reading a well written fantasy book and series that incorporates women loving women and action and adventure. Jane Fletcher does and admirable job that keeps you wanting the stories to never really end so that you can follow them for years. Really good world building and morality conundrums are filtered thought the series and come to a head in Book 4 and hopefully not last of the series. Tevi and Jemeryl (the Ungifted and the Gifted) struggle with the world around them but never in the love they have for each other and in the end, having the one you love by your side makes all the struggles bearable.
January 10, 2023
Not sure if this is the last book in the series, it has that feeling about it but I for one hope it is not the case.
In my opinion this is the best book in the series, it really feels like the author is getting into her stride with the two main characters, Jemeryl and Tevi.
Tevi comes into her own more in this book, without the "destroy everything in my way" power of Jemeryl available to her her mercenary skills come more to the front. For the most part Jemeryl is an observer but her intelligence comes to the fore without her magic.
Loved the series and it's little social commentary asides. Highly recommend it and hope it continues.
In my opinion this is the best book in the series, it really feels like the author is getting into her stride with the two main characters, Jemeryl and Tevi.
Tevi comes into her own more in this book, without the "destroy everything in my way" power of Jemeryl available to her her mercenary skills come more to the front. For the most part Jemeryl is an observer but her intelligence comes to the fore without her magic.
Loved the series and it's little social commentary asides. Highly recommend it and hope it continues.
August 27, 2024
4.5 stars
It was so nice seeing Jem and Tevi again! I've enjoyed all of their adventures together and this one was no different, though the third book is probably the one I liked best. My favourite thing about this series has always been the worldbuilding and I was so glad to see it expanded even more; getting to learn about the different religions and seeing how they contrasted against the sorcerers' lack of faith in divinities was quite fascinating. Also, seeing Tevi in her element while Jem was a bit of a fish out of water was an interesting reversal.
I've loved this series and I can't wait to read other Jane Fletcher books.
It was so nice seeing Jem and Tevi again! I've enjoyed all of their adventures together and this one was no different, though the third book is probably the one I liked best. My favourite thing about this series has always been the worldbuilding and I was so glad to see it expanded even more; getting to learn about the different religions and seeing how they contrasted against the sorcerers' lack of faith in divinities was quite fascinating. Also, seeing Tevi in her element while Jem was a bit of a fish out of water was an interesting reversal.
I've loved this series and I can't wait to read other Jane Fletcher books.
January 23, 2011
This, the latest of the Lyremouth chronicles, has great plot hook. Someone is trying to remove magic from the world, and succeeding. The plotting here is much tighter than in the previous books and really top notch. The reason I'm giving this book one fewer star than the last three is the ending. The whole thing is a bit of a downer and there didn't seem to be enough catharis for me. It seemed a bit out of character. Maybe the characters are simply changing in ways I don't like, but I expected better out of Tevi.
Read
March 28, 2025liked this least of the series and it had some weird politics
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews