“Chronicles of Charanthe” is a solid fantasy novel about a young woman finding her place in the world.  Eleanor has completed her studies and is waiting for her assignment to come from the Assessors.  Unlike her classmates, Eleanor is disappointed and dismayed by the career mapped out for her.  She does the unthinkable and refuses her assignment, determined to find something more exciting and worthy of her talents.

In the Prologue we’re introduced to Eleanor at 13.  Already a loner, she’s in the forest when she meets a mysterious man named Laban.  He’s actually a little creepy, and she’s very trusting for 13, but, fortunately, he just wants to train her in weapons and fighting techniques.

When the story begins, Eleanor is 17 and it’s the Day of Assignment at Mersioc Regional School for Girls.  She’s hoping to be assigned to the Special Forces, a career that will lead to adventure and an exciting future.  She finds herself assigned to the police force in a small, backwater town.  By refusing her assignment she places herself outside of the Imperial Service and bereft of a future with a home and pension.  Her secret trainer, Laban, has vanished so she has no one to ask for help.  But she remembers the whispered legends of the Assassins, people who refuse their assignments and risk their lives to find the hidden, or possible non-existent, training school.  She sets out on her quest.

The writing is solid and clean, with a nice mix of action, dialog and description.  The various places Eleanor ends up are well-described, with interesting hints of their culture.  There are scenes of violence but also scenes of colourful markets.  Eleanor is a clever, resourceful loner who wants travel and excitement.  She’s athletic, secretive, and good with tools and weapons, qualities that would probably make her a good spy or assassin.  Most of the other characters at the school are described very lightly.  Other characters that appear later are well-written and feel real. 

“Chronicles of Charante” is a well-written coming of age fantasy with a strong, adventurous heroine.  The pace is good, with lots of action, interesting people and places, and a clear goal.  I would recommend it anyone who likes fantasy adventure novels, or adventure set in a pseudo-medieval world.

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