Maya's Divided World Book

Yes, I cried at 2 AM over this book while hugging my fanart of Maerad. Yes, I'm okay.

I think I left part of my soul behind after finishing this book. So I read it again. And again. I devoured The Riddle for the first time in May 2020, and I've read it seven times since. I'm at the point where I can recite entire passages from memory. I know these characters better than the back of my hand.

When I first read this, I sort of skimmed the boring parts so I could finish faster. But on my reread, I sat back and basked in the beautiful world of Edil-Amarandh and the comforting companionship of Maerad and Cadvan.

There was one passage I remember vividly (this is the one I can quote, by the way). It was this huge argument between Maerad and Cadvan, which eventually led to their estrangement. I read it quickly first, relishing the angst and emotions that pour out of the pages. But then I looked over it again, marveling at how genius the whole thing was. You can tell how much Alison Croggon loves to write. It fills every word with a magical, comforting quality.

The Riddle takes all of those trite fantasy tropes and rejuvenates them. There's a love triangle (my soulmate Cadvan is clearly superior to Arkan), but instead of hating it, I soaked up the angst. There's a whole lot of the Chosen One trope, but instead of rolling my eyes, I cried along with Maerad.

I'm pretty sure this has something to do with my unending love for these characters. Cadvan is sometimes solemn, but there's always a hint of humor lurking somewhere behind that mask. He's kind and gentle and unflinching. And Maerad, despite all her wild emotions, is usually calm, capable, and intelligent.

I physically felt a stabbing pain in my heart from all the grief and coldness and nostalgia that this book is filled with. Reading The Riddle feels like coming home.

5 stars