What I Am Reading: "The Monster Baru Cormorant" by Seth Dickinson
I think of the Masquerade series as the best fantasy series that I have read in a long time. I am either avant-guard or unfortunate to have come to it early, before it has been concluded. Hopefully I won't have too long to wait until book three.
This second book, despite a more contained setting, broadens the scope of the world. With the issue of Falcrest's domination of the kingdom of Aurdwynn settled in the first book, by Baru Cormorant's deep cover operation to spark and subsequently crush a rebellion; our attention turns to the Masquerade's next target, the confederation of Oriati Mbo to the South. Baru, meanwhile, has been initiated as one of the cryptarchs, the powers behind the throne of Falcrest.
The penultimate cryptarchs (Farrier and Torrinde) have lived their lives on different sides of the nature-versus-nurture debate. I would characterize the ideology of Falcrest, Incrasticism, as eugenics based on Lamarckism. Torrinde, the naturist, believes that individuals cannot overcome their heritage, and that biology rules all. Farrier, who recruited Baru in the first book, is more of a schemer than a scientist, and believes that the right education and training can inculcate the proper ideals in anyone. Both men seek the Cancrioth of the Oriati Mbo. This is an ancient, almost mythical cancer cult, said to be the secret rulers of the Oriati. Torrinde seeks them because he believes that they have mastered a technique to transfer consciousness between bodies using tumors, brought about by controlled uranium exposure. Farrier seeks to neutralize Oriati Mbo's leadership, to pave the way for Falcrest's economic subversion and eventual takeover. Additionally, both seek to avoid a ruinous war that could lead to the collapse of civilization. Baru and the other minor cryptarchs are dispatched on this errand.
Everyone has their own plot. Baru hopes that she can sabotage Falcrest's takeover, and perhaps unite the Oriati with the people of Aurdwynn and Taranoke in an anti-Falcrest coalition, or at least a scheme. Her fellow new cryptarch is Xate Yawa, formerly head of the religious police in Aurdwynn and Baru's frequent rival there. They embark on the ship of Svirakir, another young cryptarch, lover of the admiral of Falcrest's navy, a political hostage between the competing powers of the Navy and parliament. Every cryptarch normally has such a hostage, to render them vulnerable to control or manipulation. Baru chose to kill her hostage, her female lover Dutchess Tain Hu, so that she would be free of political control. Svirakir's emotional vulnerability leads him to have different priorities than the others when the expedition is pursued by a mutinous admiral, who believes that Baru is trying to raise a false-flag mutiny to bring about a war and a purge of naval leadership. Xate Yawa, meanwhile, thinks that Baru has sinister designs on her homeland of Aurdwynn. Mistrust ensues.
Although this book only follows the expedition to two archipelagos, the world feels as if it has expanded greatly from the first book. The beginning of the previous, inconclusive war between Falcrest and Oriati Mbo is shown through flashbacks to an Oriati prince, the Laman (a third gender) Tau-Indi Bosoka, giving us a primer on Oriati Mbo. Meanwhile, we hear stories of treks into the jungle in search of the Cancrioth, of voyages across the far sea to a burnt landscape covered in endless storm. That tidbit, plus the uranium of the Cancrioth, plus a spot on the provided map labeling a suspiciously-circular Starfall Bay, makes me wonder if the story will eventually reveal some aspect of post-apocalyptic nuclear war. Falcrest and the rest are situated around a circular Ashen Sea, with currents whirling eternally clockwise. These elements make the world feel much more like a fantasy world: a bit contrived to tell a story, but entertaining and perhaps more understandable.
The series is also very progressive. It has characters of different races, transgender characters, characters in same-sex relationships. Even repressive Falcrest has a matriarchal navy, with slang and traditions to match. This all flows well into the story, and never feels forced or performative. The characters, even when working at-odds, are fleshed out and have understandable concerns. Despite constant scheming, they are surprisingly vulnerable with each other, and can even behave (refreshingly) childishly at times.
I don't know how long Seth Dickinson plans to continue this series, but I look forward to the next volume. I will say that I hope to see him embrace the full body horror of the Cancrioth, as that aspect hasn't quite grabbed me yet, despite the series’ usual unflinching depiction of gore. This is a minor criticism, however. I have confidence in the final outcome.