ISBN: 0-441-01187-X Order from: Amazon.com
A pleasant fantasy adventure, with enjoyable characters, but diffuse due to multiple viewpoints and formulaic magic.
Reviewed by David on November 07, 2004
Genre: Fantasy (Magic)
Synopsis: Twenty years ago, Tier came back from the wars to become a farmer in his native village of Redern. On his way home, he met Seraph—a young Traveler girl who just lost her family.
The secretive Travelers have been distrusted and often persecuted as black witches. Fewer and fewer of their clans roam the countryside, fulfilling the ancient obligation of fighting the Shadows. But Tier is not a supersititious sort—and the girl he befriended eventually became his wife.
Now, so many years later, a ruthless conspiracy threatens the country, and Tier and Seraph once again find themselves on the edge of death.
Full Review: The major characters, particularly Tier and Seraph are well described and appealing. However, the magic talents seem rather too regimented, and many of the supporting characters are very lightly sketched. The viewpoint shifts between several people, and the resulting lack of focus detracts from the suspense of the plot.
This fantasy is enjoyable, particularly due its main characters, but does not stand out.
Copyright: 2004
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;
Berkley Publishing Group (Ace), August 2004, Mass-market, 334 pages
ISBN: 0-441-01187-X Order from: Amazon.com