A Mankind Witch

Shadow of the Lion: 3

ISBN: 0-7434-9913-1 Order from: Amazon.com

An adventure generously sprinkled with Norse folklore, budding romance, some humor, likable heroes, and hissable villains.

Reviewed by David on July 10, 2005

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: In a Europe where magic is real even if discounted by many, the Holy Roman Empire is troubled by the troubles in the north. Corrupt knights alienate allies, while a nominally friendly Norse kingdom of Telemark has fallen under the sway of a magic conspiracy.

As hotheaded but rapidly maturing Prince Manfred is sent to sort out the troubles, a small and dark-haired slave—Cair—is brought into the rude and often vicious Telemark court from a failed raid.

Cair, once a successful corsair commander, has to survive in the bitter cold of a Norway winter. His skepticism of all things magical does not hinder him from using the superstitions to his advantage. His reputation as a witch helps him, especially as his desire to escape is complicated by his compassion for the king's oft-rediculed half-sister.

Full Review: There is plenty of adventure, with fighting, running and solving complex challenges. The heroes—both from the Empire and from the Telemark court are likable and rather anochronistically decent, while the rest of the characters, including the villains, remain rather flat.

However, the rapid pace of adventure, change of scenery, magical complications and human ingenuity concentrate the reader's viewpoint and sympathy on the main characters. Their interaction is fun, and their reactions to adversity gain admiration. There is an element of mystery here as well, although the identity of the villains and other puzzles are only lightly disguised.

All in all, the adventure is full of fun, excitement, and likable heroes, and the never-easing pace carries the reader along to its tense and satisfying conclusion.

Overall: 6.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-7434-9913-1 Order from: Amazon.com