Damiano's Lute

Damiano #2

by R.A. MacAvoy

"I found Damiano's Lute very absorbing. The author's ability to bring to vivid life the general background of this period of history, and yet interweave it with the type of fantasy which was actually accepted in that day of positive faith is truly amazing. I really found this book to be more compelling than the first. The scenes of the Black Death-dreadful as they were-come through as if taken from eyewitness accounts. This is fantasy at its highest point. Ms. MacAvoy's talent is a strong, flowing one." -Andre Norton This novel is a sequel to Damiano. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard's son, an alchemist and the heir to dark magics. Shattered by the demonic fury of his dark powers, Damiano Delstrego has forsaken his magical heritage to live as a mortal man. Accompanied only by the guidance of the Archanagel Raphael, the chidings of a brash young rogue, and the memory of a beautiful pagan witch, Damiano journeys across a plague-ridden French countryside in search of peace. But the Father of Lies reaches out once again to grasp him. And to avert the hellish destiny awaiting him, Damiano must challenge the greatest forces of darkness, armed only with the power of his love and the music of his lute. The final volume of this story is Raphael.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Angels

254 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Roberta Ann (R. A.) MacAvoy is a fantasy and science fiction author in the United States. Several of her books draw on Celtic or Taoist themes. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 1984. R. A. MacAvoy was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Francis and Helen MacAvoy. She attended Case Western Reserve University and received a B.A. in 1971. She worked from 1975 to 1978 as an assistant to the financial aid officer of Columbia College of Columbia University and from 1978 to 1982 as a computer programmer at SRI International before turning to full-time writing in 1982. She married Ronald Allen Cain in 1978.

R.A.MacAvoy was diagnosed with dystonia following the publication of her Lens series. She now has this disorder manageable and has returned to writing. (see http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/non...)

Reviews

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Damiano's Lute is book two in the Damiano trilogy and begins with him and his young companion, Gaspare, who has become Damiano's self appointed manager, travelling in a ricketty cart to France to find Gaspare's sister. She is a prostitute and Gaspare continually denigrates her, but also loves her as she is his only surviving family member.

Since renouncing his powers at the end of book 1, when he returned Saara's powers to her and also gave her his own, Damiano has become even more self-absorbed, living only for his lute playing. He and Gaspare continually rub each other up the wrong way. When Saara follows to try to restore his powers to him - and also demonstrate her feelings for Damiano physically - he recoils in horror. Only later does he realise he needs his powers back to find Gaspare's sister who was supposed to meet them in Avignon, currently the home of the Papacy, but failed to make the rendevous.

Meanwhile, the two boys become involved on the periphery of Papal politics, though that doesn't really come to much plotwise. And Damiano continues to be bothered by the devil, with whom he made a bargain to keep his hometown safe in book 1. In trying to defend him, his mentor and friend, the archangel Rafael, seems to be diminished.

After Damiano finally changes his mind about both his powers and Saara, positive developments at last seem to be on the horizon, but the situation in Avignon rapidly changes with devastating results.

As with book 1, the prose is beautifully written. However, the characters failed to engage. Despite the odd bit of humour with Damiano's temperamental horse, the loss of his talking dog from the first book was felt, together with the sheer unlikability of Gaspare who plays a large part in the story. And I found the final section completely unconvincing as Damiano switches from being self absorbed, dreamy and ineffectual most of the time, to being a self-sacrificing hero - to save someone who is peripheral to his life and who has hardly appeared in either volume of the trilogy so far. If it had been Saara, it would perhaps have made sense - but given her witch nature, she would never have been in the danger described. So despite it being obvious that the final section is meant to be heartbreakingly sad, I'm afraid it left me unmoved. I also found it odd to kill off the main character at the end of book 2 of the trilogy. Given this major reservation, the story could only merit 2 stars from me.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in a trilogy by R.A. MacAvoy. The first book, Damiano, sets out the story of a young lute player/wizard in Renaissance Italy whose best friend is the archangel Raphael.
Trust me. They are amazing books, and ones that I re-read at least once a year.

Without spoiling too much of Damiano's Lute, I just have to say that the first time I read it, I cried. Not tears trickling down the cheeks, but full on, gut-wrenching, nose-reddening sobs.
Which, for me, is incredibly rare. And every. damn. time. I re-read this book, I *still* tear up at the end.

I hope this is a testament to just how awesome this book - and this series - is - so go read it already!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased to find that the first book in this trilogy (mostly) lived up to my fond memories of it, but the second book didn't hold up quite as well. The main problem I had with it is that the plot is very slight - most of the novel coasts along relying on the reader's affection for the existing characters... while subtly shifting focus from Damiano to Gaspare.

Still, the characters do charm, and the downbeat ending packs one hell of a punch. I had remembered the gist of it, so I was aware of the wheels turning, but I was surprised to find myself wiping away a few tears anyway.

Not that there is anything wrong with what these books are - light, entertaining adventure fantasies - but I honestly think that if MacAvoy had been encouraged to develop her themes more fully, these books would have merited a much wider readership.

Still and all, I've held on to my copies for 25 years or so, and I won't wait so long to reread them next time. That's a pretty good recommendaton, I think.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made another oops and bought a sequel by accident. Despite the continued plot that I wasn’t fully aware of, I got the gist enough to really enjoy the book. It’s not a romance, (shocker for me) I’d say a blend high fantasy, history and adventure. Set in the 14th century Damiano is a young wizards son who previously saved his city from the devil. Now he is without his powers, playing the lute and wandering the plague ridden French countryside with his young companion and dancer, Gaspare. Damiano is taught the lute by the Angel Raphael and can summon the Angel at will, as a result his music is otherworldly. He had met Saara in the previous book, and had left his powers with her. Damiano is bewitched and madly in love with her despite being devoted to his pledge of chastity. After they restore his abilities the three of them search for Gaspare’s missing sister amongst the ill stricken villages. After his run in with the devil, Damiano is aware that Lucifer has guaranteed his death and may very well die at any moment. You know this isn’t a romance because of its unhappy ending. After finding gaspare’s sister, Damiano cures her plague by taking on the illness himself, requesting Raphael bring him to a field to let him die peacefully. The Angel, his friend and lover mourn the loss of a great man and musician.
Oddly enough this was a very nostalgic read. Maybe it’s the 80s cover art or the magical adventure but I felt very much like a kid again while reading it. I loved the time period it was set in, and although I may have missed the first part of the story I still felt very much involved. It was fun, ethereal and very magical. Although I would’ve loved for damiano to live and perhaps get to live his life out with Saara, there was really only one ending for a hero like Damiano. Maybe I’ll circle back to the first book before I go to the third. Overall 10/10 A+ for lutes and laying naked in fields making clouds with magic. C- for death

[Jeffery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Underrated Gem

Love Macavoy’s writing. While I did not rate this as highly as the first book, it’s still a gem. The story can be frustrating at times, but that’s the characters being true to themselves. The ending … well, I very much recommend it. 👍🏻

[Just_ann_now · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could have appreciated Damiano's Lute more. I wish I could have loved it at least a little bit as much as others have.

I picked up Damiano because a good friend remembered it fondly, and another friend wrote movingly of Damiano's redemption arc. But my head must not have been in the right place; I could hardly take Damiano seriously – he reeked to me of whiney emo-brat wizard wannabe. I nearly rolled my eyes up permanently in to my head. “But it must be just me,” I kept thinking, and soldiered on to Damiano's Lute. This one seemed less with the whiney brat, but more, oh, so much more with the melodrama, all garishly written, glaringly brightly-colored. I should love this kind of stuff! I adore historical drama! But, sorry as I was to see Damiano go, I couldn't help but breath a tiny sigh of relief.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the 1990s, my then boyfriend recommended this series to me. After all of these years, I still remember this book. Unlike most fantasy books at the time, I couldn't predict what would happen next.

My only problem with the book is that you definitely need to read the previous book to figure out what's going on.

[Kat Hooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

review coming soon at www.fantasyliterature.com

[Natasha Hurley-Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another instalment in the meanderings of Damiano. I found the first half of this pretty tedious, as Damiano spends his time feeling sorry for himself, and Gaspare is a bit irritating. It gets more interesting when Saara returns to the story. The last few scenes were a bit lost on me, really. I think there were some Christian metaphors going on that are completely over my head. I didn't really understand why it was more important that Damiano sacrifice himself for a random character that has a history of making terrible decisions than say, any other person that he saw dying of the plague that day. I'm probably just an unfeeling monster, sigh. Anyway I was pretty surprised that MacAvoy really followed through with Lucifer's threat - and again, I had no idea whether that was supposed to be spiritually ironic in some way, that the Father of Lies tells the truth?

[Charles Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what you would expect from the fantasy billing. Very slow angst ridden start which doesn't pick up for a long way through this slim volume. There is no real sense of on going mission as in the previous book apart from find the missing sister which seems almost incidental. There are however flashes of brilliance. The portrayal of an underused setting (plague ridden renaissance France) is rich and interesting and the use of magic clever. There is certainly some questionable decision making and semi random events which detract from these however. Readable enough however hard to shelve. Perhaps romantic fantasy? A long way from sword and sorcery but sufficiently different to be worth reading.

[Uudenkuun Emilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as the first book, but I still really admire how MacAvoy captures the medieval European world. Excellent historical atmosphere - including some chilling stuff with the plague. Also, the singing magic is amazing, and described really well.

I appreciate that Saara was in a bigger role in this novel: she's a badass.

However, this novel felt ramblier than the previous, with less purpose and structure. But the prose was still really beautiful! And this was a fine read even if I didn't like it as much as the first part.

I was pretty shocked that Damiano actually DIED at the end - what a wild way to end the second part of a trilogy where he was clearly the main character.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, the devil has told you that you're going to die soon...do you believe him? How will your belief affect your behavior? Can angels meddle in the affairs of mortals? These are some of the questions addressed in Damiano's Lute, the middle book of the Damiano trilogy. I enjoyed reading about Damiano, the archangel Raphael, and the street dancer Gaspare who becomes Damiano's companion. The book dips into some interesting historical moments, such as plague in Avignon. But I couldn't help missing a certain character from book one who did not continue on the journey. Enough said.

[Bronwen Maggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read that transports the reader back in time. The first book sets the scene well, making the way for this one, which I enjoyed so much more! Its easy reading and the pace is just right too. It's historically and musically intriguing. By the end I felt like I'd been on a journey with the characters as they travelled throughout Renaissance Italy. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Arthur B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant follow-up to, and development of, the original novel. Whilst there is notionally a third book in the trilogy, if you just read the first two it already tells a satisfyingly complete story in its own right. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually very good, such a great evocation of that era with great characters. And seems an influence on subsequent novels such as the name of the wind.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a shame that these books are not more popular. Damiano and Saara, it just breaks me.

[Doodles McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books, which I remember 40 years later, set during Italian Renaissance , in one of my favourite series, by a great female author. I read these as a mid teenager.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book was very good and moved along. This second book took a long time to get started and it was also pretty depressing.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other reviewers here compare this fantasy novel unfavorably with the novel to which it is the sequel. I hadn't read the first novel; I read this one because a dead friend had left it to me, and because I really enjoyed R. A. MacAvoy's Lens of the World series.

I loved all the music in Damiano's Lute, and the magic wasn't half-bad either. The story doesn't quite earn its ending, but it did make me order up Damiano after holding out for only two days. That ought to be a good enough recommendation right there.

[Sarah-Jayne Briggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

(This review may contain spoilers).

This was another book I found difficult to read. Unlike the first book, all of the characters seemed really unlikable in this. Damiano didn't seem to care about anyone or anything apart from Saara (who he fell in love with at first sight. *Eyeroll*).

To be honest, I would have liked to see Damiano learn to cope without the use of his magic. It all seemed to progress far too quickly after he got his powers back. And to be honest, he didn't seem the self-sacrificial sort.

So, to be honest, this book was fairly disappointing. It just seemed to be missing something.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the book is beautifully written, the Kindle version is less than perfectly transcribed, causing me to struggle with the text. Still I enjoyed it quite a lot, although there were spots when I needed a tissue. I am glad I had Raphael, the third book in the trilogy, ready to go.

What I liked was the exploration of love and personal responsibility. There are hard choices to be made and they have significant consequences. I am impatient to find out how this trilogy concludes.

If you enjoy philosophical fantasy, this could be your cup of tea. Do start at the beginning of the series as you need that background to understand this book.

[Ian Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 reread: I enjoyed the characters a lot more in this book but the story is so much more slight than the first book, which had very little plot. What it has are wonderful characters and settings and lovely writing that brings you into the world perfectly. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours away from our own world, plague and all. The ending is hard to go through but it is still a terrific experience.

[Melanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't hold my attention quite as well as the first book.

I won't say the ending came out of nowhere because it was hinted at a couple of times, but I do agree with some of the other reviewers that say that it didn't feel like it was entirely earned.

But I am really interested to see where she goes with the third book.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Algerian born French Guitarist who, in his early years, played a lot of Celtic music, is the inspiration for Damiano. The Author's infatuation with Pierre Bensusan becomes more apparent in this one.

[Tim Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsure about this series, on a re-read a good few years after the first. It's distinctive, and very evocative of the setting, but at the same time I can't help but find it rather twee. Torn as to whether it's a keeper or not.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damiano travels with his wild horse, a young thief, and his lute, earning an audience to play before the Pope himself. He revisits his relationship with the Fenn Witch Saara, and together they try to stop the plague that has fallen upon Avignon.

[Bryan457 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too dark for me.
Damiano has forsaken his magic and focused on perfecting his lute playing. He is still hanging out with the angry street urchin, mooning over the Norwegian witch, and taking lute lessons from the angel Raphael.
Overshadowing the whole book is the plague.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plague and magic and angels

[Foxthyme · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacAvoy has been a long time fave, most fave author, yet on rereads I find myself warring with my opinions on the topic. Will let you know.

[Rannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light but entertaining series in which our roving musician encounters
the Plague, the Devil and the Pope while continuing to develop his music and his magic, with a little love along the way.