The Lion's Eye

Starred review from June 4, 2007
Set in an alternative medieval world in which Carthage has survived to become a mighty empire, this impressive first in a new fantasy series from British author Gentle introduces a highly unusual protagonist, the hermaphrodite Ilario. A native of Iberia, Ilario is visiting Carthage en route to Rome, where he/she plans to serve as an apprentice to a master painter, when he/she is sexually violated and becomes the slave of Rekhmire', an amiable Egyptian and castrato by choice, who wants Ilario for his/her artistic abilities. Meanwhile, Ilario's mother, ashamed of her offspring's “deformity,” schemes to kill Ilario. Eventually, Ilario hooks up with Masaccio, an actual pre-Renaissance artist, from whom he learns to paint in perspective. Gentle (A Secret History
and other titles in her Book of Ash series) delivers a delicious twist ending involving Ilario's impending marriage that will leave readers eager for the next installment.