ISBN: 0-312-86957-6 Order from: Amazon.com
This sequel is better than the start of the series, with more active adventure for the main character, and a bit more exploration of the still rather fuzzy predictions and political structure.
Reviewed by David on November 18, 2000
Genre: Fantasy (Juvenile, ESP)
Synopsis: After a devastating war, and subsequent plagues and mutations, the ESP-gifted mutants, called Misfits, are hunted down and killed. Now, however, a group of young Misfits, mostly orphans, have found a haven in the remote fortress of Obernewtyn. Hiding from the powerful and ruthless Council, the Misfits use their talents to discourage visitors, and to pretend that the fortress is a mostly abandoned ruin.
Elpeth, a strong farseeker, has become a guildmistress in the budding society of Obernewtyn. Her special relationship with the telepathic animals, and her sense of duty urge her to participate in a dangerous mission: a trip to the lowlands to rescue a very strong and probably doomed telepath, out of both humanitarian reasons, and to prevent accidental discovery of Obernewtyn.
Full Review: This juvenile novel has its fill of adventure, and while keeping the heroine in constant danger, shows enough maturity and strength in Elspeth to interject hope and occasionally amusement. The simplicity of the political situation and rather fuzzy predictions surrounding Elpeth are somewhat distracting, but the latter, at least, is given more thought, and the enigmatic animals giving Elspeth advice become more sympathetic, if not more believable.
In general, this is an enjoyable juvenile novel, having a better balance between victimhood and supercompetence than its predecessor. It is to be hoped that the series continues to improve.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1990, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), August 2000, Cloth, 316 pages
ISBN: 0-312-86957-6 Order from: Amazon.com