Brokedown Palace (novel)

infobox Book |
name = Brokedown Palace
orig title =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Steven Brust
cover_artist = Alan Lee
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = Orb
release_date = 1986
media_type = Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
pages = 351 pp (reprinted edition)
isbn = ISBN 0765315041 (in-print edition)
preceded_by =
followed_by =

Published originally in 1986, it was brought back into print in 2006 by Orb, a subsidiary of Tor Publishing. "Brokedown Palace" is Steven Brust's only stand-alone novel set in Dragaera. It is also notable for being set in Fenario, the human-populated portion of that world.

Plot introduction

Once upon a time there were four brothers-and a goddess, a wizard, an enigmatic talking stallion, a very hungry dragon-and a crumbling, broken-down palace with hungry jhereg circling overhead. And then...

Major Characters

Miklos, Prince of Fenario
Laszlo, King of Fenario
Andor, Prince of Fenario
Vilmos, Prince of Fenario
Sandor, a Wizard
Brigitta, a girl of common yet uncommon birth
Mariska, Countess of Mordfal
Viktor, Captain of the King's Guards

Plot summary

The land of Fenario, on the borders of Faerie (read:Dragaera) is ruled by King Laszlo, oldest of four brothers. Prince Andor, second son, is an indulgent man, unable to discover his place. Prince Vilmos, third son, is a giant, such as are occasionally born into the line of Fenarr. The youngest, Prince Miklos, is at the center of the story. The family makes their home in a four-hundred year old palace, which is crumbling away under their feet.

The story concerns the destruction of their crumbling home, which serves as fulcrum around which many themes revolve. Desperation at things' ending, joy at new beginnings, and the way in which we choose to separate the two, are central themes of the novel.

Devera

The character of Devera is a nine-year-old girl with brown hair, who frequently inhabits Steven Brust's novels. In Brokedown Palace, she appears twice to Prince Miklos, both times to guide him in what must be done.