ISBN: 0-671-87617-1 Order from: Amazon.com
A competent, cross-world fantasy enlivened by the unusual, and highly enjoyable "were-human" character.
Reviewed by David on February 14, 1999
Genre: Fantasy (Multiple Worlds, Shapeshifting)
Synopsis: Carey is a rider well experienced in carrying important messages between wizards. When a new and very dangerous spell needs to be delivered safely, he takes his best-trained horse, Dun's Lady Jess, and an emergency escape spell. When an ambush injures the rider, Carey's escape spell transports him, his horse and one of his enemies to our magic-lacking world. However, it also transforms Dun's Lady Jess into a very confused, naked, and apprehensive woman.
Helped by two incredulous mid-westerners, Jess is frantic to find her rider. However, the most serious problem is the ruthless enemy now in our world, and his sorcerous masters who will use murder and torture to capture magical and political power.
Full Review: The adventures of Jess, Carey, and their new friends prove deadly, both in our world, and, after crossing, in the magical world of Carey and the wizards who hold real power there.
The developments are tough and realistic, but hardly unusual. The struggles and the stressed feel resembles that of Hambly's cross-world fantasies.
On the other hand, Jess and her honest, sometimes bewildered but not unintelligent thoughts and actions, and her struggle between equine joy and human ambiguity is a fresh and delightful aspect. The concept of an animal gaining human form and intelligence is not one frequently used in the genre, and it is handled here with a skill and affection deserving notice.
This novel is followed by Changespell.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1994, Baen Publishing Enterprises (Baen), August 1994, Mass-market paperback, 343 pages
ISBN: 0-671-87617-1 Order from: Amazon.com