ISBN: 0-441-00534-9 Order from: Amazon.com
Light-weight fantasy adventure, combining mystery, = romance elements and some humorous dialogue.
Reviewed by David on May 26, 1998
Genre: Fantasy (Mystery, Demons)
Synopsis: Shamera, the daughter of a minor noble, is forced to turn = thief when her homeland is invaded and occupied by the Eastern Empire. After years of life on spent in theft and sabotage, her master is killed = by supernatural means. To track down the demonic killer that is = murdering the natives and the occupants alike, Shamera reluctantly joins = forces with the Eastern governor.
Full Review: This is a light and light-weight but enjoyable fantasy. A more or less typical revenge fantasy plot is interrupted when the = dispossessed daughter of a Southwood noble becomes a temporary ally of = the local governor, who is suspecting that one of the local courtiers is = murdering both rebellious natives and arrogant invaders.
The plot is thickened when to hide Shamera's pupose in the = investigation, she assumes the role of the Governor's mistress. She plays the role almost too well, with panache and style which mask = her growing respect and affection for the former honorable enemy and = current ally.
The standard romance plot is salvaged by the humor and confidence of the = protagonists. Also, a number of possibly excruciating misunderstandings are avoided by = most of the good guys actually communicating with each other. (One of my particular peeves with the standard romance ploy, as well as = the common "soap opera" fantasy/science fiction, is that the tension is = artificially maintained by the main characters' deliberate ignorance, = stubbornness, or secretiveness).
All in all, this is an enjoyable book to spend a few hours on. I will probably buy the next book by Ms. Briggs.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 4; Characters: 5; Style: 7; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Berkley Publishing Group (Ace), June 1998, Mass-market, 272 pages
ISBN: 0-441-00534-9 Order from: Amazon.com