Exile

ISBN: 0-441-00669-8 Order from: Amazon.com

A pleasant, if mostly conventional adventure, with a naive but intelligent heroine, and a mildly surprising and satisfying resolution.

Reviewed by David on May 06, 2000

Genre: Fantasy (Romance, Coming of Age)

Synopsis: Neve, the young daughter and heir of the mystical Guardian of the Crystal Keep, has magic in her blood. After showing a lot of talent but dangerous lack of skill in her sorcerous attempts, her anxious and powerful parents send her on a journey to get advice from two very experienced magicians.

Needless to say, her well-planned and well-provisioned travels deviate from the plan almost immediately outside the magical realms of the Keep, and the dangers, hardshipa and occasional joy of the outside world provide an intense, although potentionally lethal education for naive but talented Neve.

Full Review: A loose sequel to Guardian's Key, this fantasy describes the coming of age journey of Neve, the young doughter of the protagonist of the earlier novel.

Much of the novel is the conventional coming-of-age journey of the young magician, but the exasperating naivete of Neve is alleviated by her ability to learn.

Some complexity is added to the storyline by the guilt brought by mistakes, and the refreshingly mature sexual attitude of the intelligent if inexperienced heroine. Several conventional areas of complication is consciously avoided by the plot, and most characters behave with plausibility.

The conslusion has a surprise, although appropriate to the plot.

In general, this is a satisfying if light-weight entertainment with magic, romance, adventure and the assumption of adult responsibilities.

Universe: Nexus

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 5; Style: 5; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-441-00669-8 Order from: Amazon.com