Persia vs. Farsala

I’ve mentioned how much I enjoy mythology in modern fiction and although Celtic mythology is my favourite area of mythology lets head east. The focus of this article is the Farsala Series written by one of my favourite authors, Hilari Bell. The series is set in the fictional land of Farsala. Although Farsala is made up it bears a remarkable resemblance to ancient Persia. The first book in the series entitled fall of the kingdom is told along side The Tragedy of Rostam. The next two books are paralleled to a new epic written in the same style.

I have thoroughly enjoyed everything written by this author. She has a gift for writing all sides of the story in both a realistic and sympathetic way without biases. Even the spoiled “shebitch” as she is often called becomes a likable character by the end of the series. In another of her series Bell turns a Robin Hood type bandit into a power hunger usurper and then back into a misguided revolutionary over the course of three books without seeming shallow or artificial.

The Farsala trilogy follows the live of three young people of different classes during the invasion of the Farsala by the Hrum Empire. (In earth history Hrum would translate to Rome).

Soraya is the overindulged daughter of the commander of the Farsalan army. She is sentenced to be sacrificed due to a religious prophesy created by her fathers enemies. As part of ruling class Sonora has an uncaring air of superiority over the other two characters. She looks down on everyone even those of her own class that she feels are unworthy. She is closed-minded and arrogant. This starts to change when her father sends her into hiding with a peasant family in the dessert to avoid her death sentence. However she does not suddenly become a likable character, the evolution happens over the course of the trilogy. It begins as she gets to know the family she lives and the Bedouin like Suud who live in the desert. 


Her story while under appreciated (at lest by me) in the reading stage is an amazing example of character development. I can’t explain it very well here because of how amazingly subtle and realistic it feels. There is no epiphany where she suddenly sees the error of her ways, but by the end of the series she is barely recognizable as the character she was introduced as. I started Fall of a Kingdom with an immediate dislike for her character but about midway through Rise of a Hero I was rushing through the other chapters in order to get back to her story.

Jiaan is the middle class representative for the story. He’s the bastard son of the commander, half brother of Sonora, and a squire in his father’s house. Jiaan is resigned, if not always content with the status quo. He has a strong idea of how the world works and strict moral code. His role in the first book is very small and he some time appears shallow and thick compared to his wittier and more strong-willed co-stars. His story is the more contemporary of the three and his character seems one-dimensional at first, but throughout the trilogy you notice bits of his character that contradict the generic hero format. Jiaan has a vice that is portrayed very well through series. He is racked with guilt over the loss of his first battle, which ended with the desecration of the Farsala army. He seeks to relieve that guilt by swearing to kill the person he feels is responsible. He revenge mission consumes him and eventually plays out with devastating consequences in the final book.

Now we come to my favourite character. Kavi represents the peasant class in Farsala. He’s a peddler and petty criminal with and mysterious past and a deep hatred for the ruling class. He believes strongly that the Farsala government is corrupt and he not afraid to voice his opinion so when he is captured by the Hrum and given a choice to spy for the Hrum or be sold into slavery you’d think this would be an easy decision. Still he holds out until he knows whether the Hrum would be a better overlord then the current rulers. By the time the Hrum finish describing their style of government both he and I are completely convinced that the Hrum were in fact better.

This I why I love this book not only does Ms Bell have the skill of technique to have one of her characters commit treason yet not dampen his character or turn him into the “bad guy”, but there are no obvious “bad guys” in the whole series. Both sides have problems as well as virtues. The right side depends completely on what side you’re on. To often in fiction the side the main character is fighting for is portrayed as the side of good with no downfalls and the opposing side is portrayed as savage barbarians. In the Farsala trilogy the cultures are just as layered and realistic as the characters. The lords of Farsala are pompous overlords with little respect for the people the rule, yet they have as a sense of honour and responsibility as strong if not stronger then the Hrum. The Hrum are as structured and free as any republic can be yet they keep slaves and wage war in far-off of country in order to expand their empire.

The basic theme of this book in my mind was that you shouldn’t make assumptions about someone until you’re sure you know them, but it also makes other true points like how easy it is to do something you will regret, how revenge gets you nowhere and the power of being able to let go.

Don’t get me wrong this isn’t some preachy moral story. It’s an epic adventure story with exciting battles, thrilling intrigue and supernatural happenings. Whether you pick up this book looking for an intriguing story of crumbling empires or just a good read you’re guaranteed a thoroughly satisfactory time of it.

Minerva