ISBN: 0-312-87368-9 Order from: Amazon.com
A satisfying, if slightly predictable adventure in the charming and very solid world of Ethshar, this novel features realistic, sympathetic characters and consistent magic.
Reviewed by David on March 06, 2001
Genre: Fantasy (Magic, Politics)
Synopsis: In the world of Ethshar, magic is real and well understood. The Wizard's Guild, the most powerful association, puts restrictions on the use of magic for political means. The relative stability is disturbed by a terrifying phenomenon which shatters the night with nighmares and new magic powers. In the morning, many inhabitants of Ethshar are missing, other have gone mad. Perhaps the worst are the many who are suddenly powerful magicians—overturning secular and magical rules.
Lord Hanner, an idle relative of the chief advisor is thrust into the chaos that his city suddenly become. His diffident attempts to infuse stability are challenged by three great powers: his ambitious and brilliant uncle Lord Faran, the terrified ruler Azrad, and the shadowy Wizard's Guild.
Full Review: Watt-Evans has built a very solid world, starting with the very enjoyable Misenchanted Sword. With a solid history, quite different from most fantasies in feel, each new novel describes a different character, only obliquely referring to events in the previous books.
As such, this novel stands on its own, and is enjoyable even without reading its prequels. The magic systems are well fleshed out, while still retaining unpredictability of true wonder. The characters populating the Watt-Evans novels always seem solid: reasonable, sometimes well-meaning, occasionally greedy or foolish. There are no raving villains in sight, and most of the heroes are reluctant.
This novel sheds light on the creating of Warlockry, even its name is explained (in a somewhat hocky manner). The plot is satisfying, without being breathtaking.
Much like the novels and characters of the late L. Sprague de Camp, the Ethshar adventures are fun to read and re-read, but they don't have much emotional intensity.
Universe: World of Ethshar
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 7.5; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 2000, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), November 2000, Cloth, 384 pages
ISBN: 0-312-87368-9 Order from: Amazon.com