by
Devin Cary
ISBN: 0-441-00681-7 Order from: Amazon.com
A conventional fantasy plot is enhanced by unconventional, likable and believable characters.
Reviewed by David on October 20, 2002
Genre: Fantasy (Politics, Sword and Sorcery)
Synopsis: The King of Albor dies while his children are young. Unexpectedly, on his death bed, King Ethelred names his foreign wife as the regent. Powerful and ambitious nobles outraged by this scheme to control the kingdom and the fate of the royal heir. Meanwhile, the honorable and less ambitious have little faith in the sheltered Queen's political skill or her fortitude. Elissa, whose main ambition has been her family's happiness, has little desire to fight for power. But who can she trust to guard her children's future?
Full Review: The conventional plot—that of a young woman struggling in a hostile and unfamiliar field of men's politics—is improved by realistic and limited characters. The good characters are full of uncertainty despite their good intentions, and most of the bad guys are flawed by ambition and greed, but have understandable human qualities. Many of the conventional outcomes are avoided, and the light admixture of magic adds some exotic color to the mix without overshadowing the politics.
The novel is mildly entertaining and appears to be a setup for more books in the series. The small scale of events both make the plot more immediate, and reduce the excitement and wonder of the world.
The fantasy is appealing without being remarkable, and the reader is interested in what happens to the main characters.
Copyright: 1999
type: mass-market
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5.5;
Berkley Publishing Group (Ace), December 1999, 282 pages
ISBN: 0-441-00681-7 Order from: Amazon.com