Wysard

Wysard: 1

ISBN: 1-56315-144-8 Order from: Amazon.com

A conventional, at times overwritten, fantasy, with plentiful magic, and a rather portentious plot.

Reviewed by David on March 07, 2000

Synopsis: After a suspicious death, Ryel, a young sorcerer from the powerful and remote city-school of Markul, has to leave the city and travel to confront the ominous plot of a long-dead wizard. On the way, he is confronted by the dangers and temptations of family, friendship, lust and politics, and is plagued by the plots of demons and mysterious allies.

Full Review: This rather short first installment in a planned fantasy duology, suffers from rather large expositionary lumps. Thinly disguised as memories, rather large amounts of information is conveyed in the beginning of the book. There is also a plethora of adjectives, and strong emotions, rendering many scenes rather too purple for an action fantasy.

Fortunately, the pace picks up in the latter half of the book. The story appears interesting, if a bit conventional. Many of the plot twists seem a bit contrived, but the biggest problem with the plot is the portentious and rather irritating way in which both sides in the gathering conflict manipulate the hero. In fact, the villains appear more determined to sneer at Ryel and push him in various directions, than eliminating him as a threat.

While expecting the conclusion to this fantasy with some pleasure due to an interesting if conventional conflict, one cannot help but hope that the author would eliminate some of the bombastic speeches and omens from the plot, and replace them with action or some genuine introspection.

Overall: 4.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 4; Style: 4.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 4;

ISBN: 1-56315-144-8 Order from: Amazon.com