ISBN: 0-312-87214-3 Order from: Amazon.com
An elegant, witty and at times engaging fantasy, this novel suffers from a narration which is somewhat remote and not particularly central to the slightly implausible plot.
Reviewed by David on April 15, 2001
Genre: Fantasy (Magic, Alternate Reality, Historical, Art, Politics)
Synopsis: Aravis, the center of a prosperous empire in the middle of late-renaissance alternate Europe, is a beautiful city. And yet, the glory is fading, with political squabbles, an old and childless king, and remote lords seeking their own supremacy.
The legendary King Julian, who once defended their country and much of Europe from the marauding Turks, "comes home" only in proverbs. When the King comes home, the age of miracles will be at hand.
So when a young and head-strong apprentice artist Hail Rosamer meets a man that looks exactly like face on the two-century old medal, instead of happiness she experiences profound confusion. As rumors of necromancy and rebellion stir, the whole country is thrown into the turmoil—and Hail may become the first victim.
Full Review: This novel takes place in the same work as A College of Magics. an alternate Europe with a few extra countries, and where magic, although rare and mostly rumored, does exist.
Taking place a few centuries before the events in College, this novel is very tenuously connected, making only a couple of references to confirm the same universe.
When the King Comes Home is skillfully written, with the sort of gracious, effortless narrative that Ms. Stevermer has used in the past. The world is solid and at times charming, and the characters are well-rounded and interesting. This solidity, however, doesn't apply to the villains, who remain both superficial and clearly bad-intentioned. The narrator, Hail, is interesting and frequently sympathetic, but has a certain emotional remoteness from the events around her. While this is explained in the novel, the lack of engagement makes the plot less interesting. And this is where the novel is already somewhat weak—the plot just happens, with fascinating detail but not much coherency.
In general, this is a pleasant, witty, skillful fantasy with a welcome lack of bombast and melodrama, but lacking emotional impact and therefore less than memorable.
In some ways, this book reminded me of Bujold's The Spirit Ring, another historical fantasy featuring art, turmoil and a female protagonist.
Universe: College of Magics
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 6; World-building: 7; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 2000, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), November 2000, Cloth
ISBN: 0-312-87214-3 Order from: Amazon.com