Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff

Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff

Daw Books: 1994

Overview: Ex-princess turned bard Annice has the rare gift of being able to communicate with all four elements through song instead of the usual one or two. However, she has gotten herself into a tight spot by getting pregnant against the king’s express orders, then helping the father of her unborn baby, the Duc of Ohrid (accused of betraying the kingdom of Shkoder) escape from prison. A foul plot is afoot and Annice and her lover Stasya are thrown into the midst of political intrigue that runs deeper than either had imagined. This is the first book in a series of four.

My reaction: If you like political intrigue, magic, elemental spirits, music and a feisty heroine, this book is a fun read. Annice is technically bisexual (she does sleep with the Duc, after all), but it seems pretty clear that Stasya is her main partner. The world in which they live is populated with a number of other queer characters, both male and female. On a completely different note, I don’t think I have ever read a book in which the main character has to pee quite so often, though I suppose that is only realistic, since she is pregnant almost the entire story. In summary, hooray for kick-ass, powerful, pregnant princess-bards!

The Quarters Series:

Sing the Four Quarters, 1994

The Fifth Quarter, 1995

No Quarter, 1996

The Quartered Sea, 1999