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In India in the 1597, Thomas, a young English apothecary's apprentice, has been sent to collect rare herbs in Africa and India. During his travels, he encounters an alchemist who has possession of a mysterious powder that can restore life to the dead. But the captain of the ship on which Chinnery sails has piracy on his mind, rather than trade. And when they attack a small, rich ship fleeing the city of Goa, Thomas Chinnery is set on the path that will lead him through his darkest nightmares into the dungeons of the Inquisition and thence to the heart of ancient India.
259 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
129 people want to read
About the author
Kara Dalkey
44 books90 followersKara Mia Dalkey is an American author of young adult fiction and historical fantasy. She was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Seattle. Much of her fiction is set in the Heian period of Japan.
She was married to author John Barnes; they divorced in 2001. She is a member of the Pre-Joycean Fellowship and of the Scribblies. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles.
She is also a musician and has gigged extensively on electric bass (which she plays left-handed) and harmony vocals, with such bands as Runestone, the Albany Free Traders, and Nate Bucklin and the Ensemble (in Minnesota) and Relic and Voodoo Blue (in Seattle.) At different times she has also played drums, banjo and acoustic guitar. She is a songwriter, but her total output is low, and consequently no CD or other album is presently in the works.
She was married to author John Barnes; they divorced in 2001. She is a member of the Pre-Joycean Fellowship and of the Scribblies. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles.
She is also a musician and has gigged extensively on electric bass (which she plays left-handed) and harmony vocals, with such bands as Runestone, the Albany Free Traders, and Nate Bucklin and the Ensemble (in Minnesota) and Relic and Voodoo Blue (in Seattle.) At different times she has also played drums, banjo and acoustic guitar. She is a songwriter, but her total output is low, and consequently no CD or other album is presently in the works.
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October 3, 2017Kara Dalkey has an excellent ear for historical dialog, and Goa is obviously well-researched, but I never got into the story.
[Finished on page 90]
[Finished on page 90]
January 6, 2021
After a number of years I just reread “Goa” by Kara Dalkey. I last read it in the late 90’s, followed by its sequel. But then I didn’t get hold of the third book in the trilogy before I, coincidentally, moved to India. I remembered I enjoyed the first two books and wanted to finish the whole trilogy, but with more than twenty years gone, I had to start it over again.
The book follows several characters, Thomas Chinnery, an Englishman, an apprentice apothecary, in an herb and medicine trading voyage who winds up in Goa, India instead of his expected destination of China, and separately, Father Antonio Gonscao (whose name has more accents, but I don’t have the tools to easily type them) sent by the Church from Portugal to investigate the Catholic Inquisition that’s going on in the Portuguese colony in Goa, as they think it might be getting corrupt.
Through piracy Thomas comes into possession of a small amount of marvelous powder, Rasa Mahadevi, or Blood of the Goddess, that has the power to kill the living and restore life to the dead.
Several times the story also follows the character Aditi, a worshipper of the as yet unnamed Goddess.
The leaders of the Inquisition in Goa also want the Rasa Mahadevi.
Overall it’s a good fantasy novel. I appreciate it more now that I’ve actually spent a lot of time living in India and know some of the geography a lot better just by hearing the names. This book doesn’t include very many Indian characters, though, and not much time spent away from the European characters, on ships or in a castle or church, so there’s little “feel” for the Indian environment.
The book follows several characters, Thomas Chinnery, an Englishman, an apprentice apothecary, in an herb and medicine trading voyage who winds up in Goa, India instead of his expected destination of China, and separately, Father Antonio Gonscao (whose name has more accents, but I don’t have the tools to easily type them) sent by the Church from Portugal to investigate the Catholic Inquisition that’s going on in the Portuguese colony in Goa, as they think it might be getting corrupt.
Through piracy Thomas comes into possession of a small amount of marvelous powder, Rasa Mahadevi, or Blood of the Goddess, that has the power to kill the living and restore life to the dead.
Several times the story also follows the character Aditi, a worshipper of the as yet unnamed Goddess.
The leaders of the Inquisition in Goa also want the Rasa Mahadevi.
Overall it’s a good fantasy novel. I appreciate it more now that I’ve actually spent a lot of time living in India and know some of the geography a lot better just by hearing the names. This book doesn’t include very many Indian characters, though, and not much time spent away from the European characters, on ships or in a castle or church, so there’s little “feel” for the Indian environment.
April 24, 2020
A true adventure and very well written! Looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!
April 27, 2016
Probably closer to 2.5 stars. This was decent but it really didn't provide any culture so now I feel like if I don't read the 2nd book (and probably the 3rd then I will have wasted a bunch of time reading it.
Another thing is that I get all angry reading about the inquisition because it makes me so mad to think that people were tortured and especially in the name of religion. It makes me wish I believed in hell just so those people who tortured others could end up there.
This is a mostly historical novel with one touch of fantasy. I was really hoping for a little more of the fantastic.
Another thing is that I get all angry reading about the inquisition because it makes me so mad to think that people were tortured and especially in the name of religion. It makes me wish I believed in hell just so those people who tortured others could end up there.
This is a mostly historical novel with one touch of fantasy. I was really hoping for a little more of the fantastic.
January 11, 2015
I am on the last book in this series, there are three. It is a fantasy set in the time of the Inquisition, and the Inquisition is in India, in the book, along with a herbalist. All are seeking a legendary goddess who hold the secret of immortality. It is well researched, as well as being a fantasy, so a very enjoyable series.
January 12, 2011
Very interesting reading, recommended for those who are into historical romances.
I think it tells a lot about inquisition and Portuguese empire in India.
I think it tells a lot about inquisition and Portuguese empire in India.
June 23, 2011
Never finished this - could not really get into it - recycled instead.
Want to read
February 21, 2012Little Sister, The Heavenward path's author:)))))
January 18, 2013
I loved this book. The plot is amazing and I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews