ISBN: 0-312-86402-7 Order from: Amazon.com
This somewhat convoluted story of ancient magic and struggle against an evil usurper is enriched by occasionally intense poignancy.
Reviewed by David on November 08, 1998
Genre: Fantasy (Storytelling)
Synopsis: In a country disturbed by the young king's growing deafness, a mysterious mage, the Usher of the Night, comes bearing promises of healing. His cures, however, mask a sinister return of an ancient, inimical force called the Tomen, which pushes all life to the brink of extinction. One of the first victims is the young boy Tim, who loses his family and happiness to the spreading hunger of Tomen. Tim, and the young King Simon must suffer and learn wisdom and magic before they can take on the Usher and Tomen.
Full Review: There must be a fashion for storytelling in modern fantasy. Like the recently reviewed Clouds End, much of the novel is framed as tales, between a storyteller and his audience. The standard tale of usurpation of an evil mage, and the struggle to learn magic is enlivened, and at times overburdened, by snippets of the ancient history of the world. Too many plots and barely sketched sub-plots turn the tale rambling and distract from the main struggle. In particular, the poetic, magical elements such as sentient winds and trees clash with the fuzzy science fictional elements.
However, the repeating echoes of the loss of Tim's parents and home form remarkable, intense moments of sadness that show the potential skill that Mr. O'Leary can bring to his work. I look forward to his future, hopefully more focused novels.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 5; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1997, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), November 1997, Cloth, 287 pages
ISBN: 0-312-86402-7 Order from: Amazon.com