The Virtu (book)

The Virtu is the second book in The Doctrine of Labyrinths by Sarah Monette. The Virtu was released in English and Chinese. The Virtu was re-released as a new English ebook for general sale under Monette's pseudonym, Katherine Addison, with an entirely new cover, on July 11, 2023.
==Book Blurb ==
Felix Harrowgate was a dashing and powerful wizard until his former master wrenched Felix’s magic from him and used it to shatter the Virtu—the orb that is the keystone for the protection and magic of the wizards of the city. Felix has painfully clawed his way back to sanity, and his only chance to reclaim the life he once knew is to repair the seemingly irreparable—to restore the Virtu.
Mildmay the Fox was an assassin and a cat-burglar—until a curse caught up with him and his life changed forever. Haunted by death, his leg damaged by the curse that should have killed him, he does not know what awaits him in Mélusine, but for good or ill, his fate is tied to Felix’s, by blood…and by magic.
On their journey, Felix and Mildmay will encounter friends and enemies old and new, vengeful spirits and ancient goddesses. They will uncover secrets better left buried. But nothing can prepare them for what awaits their return: Felix’s former master, the cruel and decadent wizard Malker Gennadion…
== Summary ==
Felix and Mildmay are in Troia, in the Gardens of Nephele. Felix fully recovers from his insanity, discovers more about his mother Methony, and is given a new set of garnet and gold rings that he keeps until the end of the series. Mildmay helps Thamuris with a pythian casting.
Felix begins to lust after Mildmay.
Felix and Mildmay travel from Endumion to Klepsydra across the ocean, on The White Otter with the Gauthy family. Felix and Mildmay's relationship deteriorates due to significant miscommunications. Ingvard Vilker attempts to seduce Felix, which leads to Felix being retraumatised.
Mildmay gets beaten and murders someone on behalf of Felix and Arakhne (pretending to be Phaethon), in Klepsydra.
The Gauthys approach Felix and Mildmay because Florian Gauthy has gone missing. Felix, Mildmay and Mehitabel (at the time, working as a governess in the Gauthy household) discover a labyrinth underground while rescuing Florian, which has strong connections to mikkary and other labyrinths. This is where Mildmay learns of Felix's lust for him. It's also where Mehitabel officially joins the party.
Felix and Thamuris begin regularly meeting in the Khloidanikos (a dream landscape).
Felix, Mildmay and Mehitabel cross the Grasslands in actor's tropes to return to Melusine. They rescue Gideon (whose tongue has been cut out), Mavortian and Bernard. Mavortian asks for Felix to help him find Beaumont Livy, in exchange for assisting Felix in repairing the Virtu.
After a dream about Porphyria and Silas, Mildmay has a premonitory feeling that he will die in the Lower City on his own, and asks Felix to place the obligation d’ame on him. Felix, after disagreeing vehemently, obliges, and seals the bond with a kiss.
Felix and Mildmay, along with Mehitabel, Gideon, Mavortian and Bernard, arrive at Melusine. Felix enters on horseback through the Chaledony Gate (the same that he was exiled through) and is reinstated into the Mirador, after pledging to fix the Virtu.
After repairing the corrupted necromantic energy (and removing all the ghouls), Felix uses hydromancy and the Sim to create a new foundation point for the Virtu, and repairs it with the assistance of Mildmay. After this, he is unable to reach the Khloidanikos until the end of the book.
Felix attracted the attention of Malkar Gennadion and Vey Coruscant due to his success, and both send letters to Felix. Vey challenges Felix to a duel, and Felix forces Mildmay – through the obligation d’ame – to murder her. He does, and is abducted by Malkar and taken to the Bastion.
Felix goes to rescue Mildmay with the help of Mehitabel, Mavortian and Bernard. Keeper Kolkhis helps him get outside of the city unnoticed. On the way, he learns the Sibylline cards. Mavortian is killed by Malkar, while Felix prioritises saving Mildmay.
Mildmay sleeps with Mehitabel for the first time.
Felix rescues Mildmay, along with Simon Barrister and Rinaldo of Fiora and then burns Malkar to death in the presence of Mildmay and takes Malkar’s rubies. Bernard gives Felix the Sibylline, and then leaves.
==Details==
See: Articles relating to The Virtu
The Virtu includes a wide cast of characters, multiple belief systems, locations, and associations.
It is narrated by Felix and Mildmay.
==Characters==
*Arakhne (Phaethon)
*Bernard Heber
*Felix Harrowgate (narrator)
*Ingvard Vilker
*Kolkhis
*Malkar Gennadion
*Mavortian von Heber
* Mehitabel Parr
* Mildmay the Fox (narrator)
* Thamuris
* Vey Coruscant
==Locations==
*Mélusine
* The Mirador
==Quotations==
== Trivia==
* The Chinese translation's ISBN-10 is 7552004797
==Image Gallery==
File:The Virtu cover by Judy York and Judith Lagerman.jpg|Cover art for the English language version of The Virtu, with art by Judy York and cover design by Judith Lagerman
File:The Virtu Chinese Cover.jpg|Cover art for the Simplified Chinese language version of The Virtu, artist unknown
File:The Virtu Cover 3.jpg|Cover art for the 2023 re-release of The Virtu, artist unknown.
==References==
Category:Books
Category:The Virtu