She’s cutting off the weak to save the strong. No, not even that. Cutting off the poor to save the rich. [loc. 6441]
There has been peace in Concordia for a thousand years: the twelve provinces are united against the threat of invasion, and each province has an heir who's been granted a magical gift, a Blessing, by the Goddess Herself. Voyage of the Damned begins just as Ganymedes ('Dee'), the representative of Fish province, is desperately trying to avoid embarking on the eponymous voyage -- to a sacred mountain, on the Emperor's own ship -- with the other eleven Blesseds. Dee has spent most of his time as Blessed playing the clown, alienating his peers, and overeating. Also, he has a secret which mustn't come out: he doesn't actually have a Blessing.
On board despite his best efforts, Dee comforts himself with the thought that at least he'll get to spend time with his love interest Ravi, the Crow Blessed. But on the very first night of the journey, one of the most popular of the twelve is murdered ... and she's only the first of the victims.
Aided by the six-year-old, sugar-crazed Grasshopper Blessed and the terminally-ill Bear Blessed, Dee is determined to unmask the killer -- if only to save his own life. He's not cut out to be a hero, he insists: but perhaps heroism is in the eye of the beholder.
I didn't quite get the hang of this novel. It was fun and twisty, but sometimes too silly: Dee is rather annoying at times, but more likeable as he opens up and displays his vulnerabilities: the worldbuilding is fairly basic, but there are lots of fascinating details. Not all of the characters are especially rounded, but each has secrets, flaws, allegiances and handicaps. It's a novel about outsiders -- being one, helping others -- and about self-doubt: and it's very much about class.
Despite my reservations, I did enjoy this novel, and I shall look forward to White's next book, due next year.
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