Review: _Lady of the Trillium_ by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Several years ago three prominent Fantasy authors collaborated on a novel.Andre Norton, Marion Zimmer Bradley and Julian May wrote Black Trillium.It was the story of triplet princesses saving their world from a dangeroussorcerer. Later, each author wrote stand alone books in the same world tellingthe further stories of their characters. Lady of the Trillium by MarionZimmer Bradley is the story of Haramis the Archimage and her apprentice.Interesting characters, a descriptive setting and a fast moving plot makethe book an entertaining read.

First, the books’s interesting charactersdraws readers into the story. Mikayla is a younger daughter of a large royalfamily. She is mostly ignored and forgotten by her family with only her friendFiolon as a companion. Interested in technology, she has an insatiable penchantfor getting into trouble. Haramis is the two hundred year old Archimage ofRuwenda, needing to choose her successor. She is stubborn and strong wiled,but wants Mikayla to learn magic to be prepared before she takes over herduties. The two women clash on many levels that gives the story conflict.Other characters help these women grow throughout the story. Fiolon is Mikayla’sfriend and conscience. The harp Uzun is the long time advisor and friendof Haramis. Ms. Bradley creates sympathetic characters that readers can likeand follow through the story.

Next, the descriptive setting of thebook brings the book to life. Ruwenda is a land of swamps and snowy mountains.There are diverse creatures such as giant intelligent lammergier birds andthe different intelligent beings that inhabit the marshes. The magic of theland is tied into one person. An archimage senses how the land of Ruwendafairs in order to act to protect it. Ms. Bradley’s writing style presentsthe setting in a vivid clear prose.

Finally it is the fast movingplot keeps the book entertaining for readers. Haramis is frightened by adream to choose her successor for the new Archimage. She picks Mikayla andtakes her unwilling to her tower in the snowy mountains of the north. Mikayladoes not not want to be a mage. Their relationship becomes one of a testof wills. As the years pass, Mikayla experiences several events that changeher while Haramis has problems. When a crisis looms, both women must makechoices in order to save Ruwenda. The author is an expert in melding severalplot threads into an exciting whole.

Lady of the Trillium byMarion Zimmer Bradley is an entertaining book about the coming-of-age ofa young mage. The interesting characters, descriptive setting and a fastmoving plot keeps readers hooked into the book until the end. Ms. Bradleyadded an interesting story to the loosely connected Trillium series begun by three masters of the Fantasy genre.

_Crossroads_ edited by Mercedes Lackey

Crossroads are places of change where decisions are made that can change courses of people’s lives. Mercedes Lackey presents many stories of change in the anthology she edited called Crossroads & Other Tales of Valdemar. This is the third anthology set in Lackey’s world of Valdemar with its Heralds and Companions. Various authors explore different parts of Valdemar with entertaining stories that readers will enjoy.

The anthology opens with “Transmutation” by Larry Dixon. This is the story of people trying to save a gryphon. With a revolt causing war in Valdemar, Kelvren the gryphon is wounded. Housed with a fatally wounded soldier, Kelvren uses all his magic to save the human, which leaves him dying. A young boy and various other characters try to save his life by restoring his magic. Mr. Dixon creates an entertaining story with strong characters and an engaging plot.

“Death in Keenspur House” by Richard Lee Byers is a mystery fantasy. Selden is called to the house of Lord Baltes Keenspur to solve a murder. A guard is killed prior to a wedding and Selden tries to solve who did the crime. The house mage Tregan states that magic was not involved. Selden treads a fine line in a city filled with feuding factions that would end with the marriage of rival houses. The author weaves together an intriguing story of magic and action that readers can enjoy.

Fiona Patton explores the story of the last survivors of a hunter clan. “The Blue Coat” tells the story of Treyill. He is a shaman and must learn to accept his powers to save his brother, cousin and people form bandits. Treyill must interpret his shamanic dreams though he fears his power. This is an interesting story story brought to life by a talented author.

“Finding Elvida” by Mickey Zucker Reichert is a Herald story. IT begins with young Elvida and her two friends attacked by a small army of attackers. Elvida is left alone to defend a fallen Herald and her own Companion. She does not know what her powers are to save her friends and must struggle against great odds. Ms. Reichert provides readers with an appealing story of adventure.

Ms. Lackey gives fans a new Tarma and Kethry story with “Landscape of the Imagination.” The companions must leave a boring kingdom full of laws to help a woman in need in the wilderness. In the dangerous forest, they come across the sorceress Nanca. She hires them for help with a contest she has against a rival colleague. Readers will like the new story of these popular characters of Valdemar.

Crossroads & Other Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey is a new anthology set in her world of Valdemar. Many authors contribute stories about different parts of Lackey’s world. The stories are entertaining with interesting characters and plots. Readers will find many stories to enjoy in this anthology.

Dark Fantasy

There are many subgenres within the Fantasy genre. Dark Fantasy is a small, but growing one. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy defines Dark Fantasy as a story that incorporates a sense of horror but is clearly fantasy(1). This definition does not include the supernatural or magic, but should. A book should have a fantasy element to come under this category. Dark Fantasy is growing because readers like stories with a dark edge or that scare them. Many authors have written good books that fall under this subgenre.

Some of Mercedes Lackey's titles come under this category. Her books about the romance writer and magic user Diana Tregarde and her partner, a vampire named Andre LeBrel have provided interesting tales. Children of the Night tells about how these characters meet and fight a psychic vampire. In Burning Water, Diana Tregarde combats a manifestation of Aztec magic. Jinx High takes place in a high school, combating a vicious teenage witch. Unfortunately for readers, there will not be any more of these books.

The fantasy novel, A Cavern of Black Ice, by J.V. Jones can be in this sub-genre as well as Epic Fantasy. This book is full of dark images and magic. The main character can kill by making heart shots with complete accuracy. There are brutal assassins and vile, evil characters. A Fortress of Grey Ice is the second book of the trilogy with more of the dark story unfolding.

Resurrection Man by Sean Stewart is a Dark Fantasy with its tale of spiders, dissections, open graves and such. It takes place in an alternate reality where angels and demons wage war in our time. There are many scenes on the edge of gruesome horror. It is a novel not to be missed.

British author Tanith Lee writes many books in this sub-genre. The Secret Books of Paradys are set in a huge city like Paris but full of demons and other nasty creatures. The Blood Opera is about a woman who undergoes torture in a hidden mansion in this tale of vampires. Many of Ms. Lee's short stories are very dark and scary.

Christopher Golden is an author of several books in this subgenre. One of his frightening books is Wildwood Road. One Halloween eve, Michael is driving home from a party and nearly hits a little girl. She draws him to a house filled with mystery. In the weeks that follow, Michael's life is turned upside down with terror from the supernatural. This is one of the many suspenseful books from this author of dark stories.

The books discussed above are just a few of the many available in this subgenre. In this modern day of cynicism there are a lot of authors who are infusing their works with frightening images and darkness. Readers feeling a need for something different, can check out Dark Fantasy for a touch of horror and fright.

Sources:

(1) Encyclopedia of Fantasy by John Clute and John Grant

Review: _The Myth Hunters_ by Christopher Golden

A man sits in the parlor of his home reading a book while a blizzard rages outside. He looks up to see a face of ice in the window. Glass shatters and the man finds himself pulled into a fight between rival supernatural creatures. The Myth Hunters by Christopher Golden is a Dark Fantasy tale with elements of myth mixed in it. An imaginative setting, gripping plot and memorable characters makes the book an exciting read.

The author creates an imaginative setting for the book. Maine, London and a Scottish island village are the prominent parts of the modern world where strange events occur. Mr. Golden juxtaposes this with his world of the Veil. That world is where all the magical beings retreated behind a magical barrier so they cannot mix with our world. Consisting of two kingdoms, the Veil world is inhabited by gods, mythical creatures, demons, humans, etc. A strong sense of reality is fostered by the author’s vivid descriptions.

Next, the author provides a gripping plot that creates a suspenseful book of adventure. On the eve of his wedding, Oliver Bascombe is having misgivings about his marriage when he meets Jack Frost. While helping the wounded ice man, they are attacked by the Falconer, a myth hunter from the Veil world. Frost takes Oliver across the Veil with him to save their lives. Oliver now finds himself in a world of magic where he is considered an intruder, subject to execution. He also finds out that Frost belongs to the Borderkind, beings able to cross the Veil border at will. Someone has set hunters on the Borderkind to eliminate all of them This plot is kept at a fast pace my Mr. Golden with tense action and dark elements.

Finally, the memorable characters in the book keeps it exciting. Oliver Bascombe wanted to be an actor but became a lawyer due to his overbearing father. His only comfort is his sister Collette. He finds himself in dangerous situations as he deals with the world of the Veil and trying to save his sister’s life. These events change him, causing Oliver to grow. The myth characters are memorable too. Kitsune the fox woman teaches Oliver wisdom and courage. Jack Frost inspires friendship by his loyalty to help Oliver despite wanting to stop the murders of his fellow Borderkind. The Sandman is a creepy, dark character who victimizes children in a horrible way. Mr. Golden creates strong characters with flaws that leaves them in readers’ memories after the book is finished.

The Myth Hunters by Christopher Golden is an entertaining Dark Fantasy. Suspense builds in the book through its imaginative setting, gripping plot and memorable characters, making the book an exciting read. First book of a trilogy, it will be followed by The Borderkind. Readers will be anxious for the continuation of the story. Hope we do not have long to wait.

Review: _Spirits in the Wires_ by Charles de Lint

Spirits, pushed out of the real world, take up residence in cyberspace. This creates havoc for people. Spirits in the Wiresby Charles de Lint is an Urban Fantasy novel set in the fictional city ofNewford where magic exists in the modern world. Mr. de Lint creates an entertainingbook with a fantastical reality through his setting, characters and plot.

Settingcan be a powerful role in a book that evokes a strong sense of wonder. Theauthor creates it in this book with his city of Newford, the borderlandsand cyberspace. Newford has appeared in previous books and is familiar toto previous readers, but new people will find the city familiar
becauseof the author’s descriptions. Vivid descriptions also bring the cyberspaceworld and border lands to life, making them seem like they really exist.Characters become affected by the setting.

This book has an ensemblecast of characters that provide different perspectives on the events of thebook and make the story interesting. It starts out with Saskia meeting Christiana.she struggles to figure out her identity because of a lack of memories. Christianais a cast off shadow of Christy, Saskia’s boyfriend. She has grown sincebeing cast off and continues to be a free spirited element of the book. Hollyowns a bookstore, sharing it with her magical brownie partner Dick who becomesdrawn into danger due to her friendships with others. Magical characterslike the tinker Bojo and Robert gives the book a strong flavor of magic.Mr. de Lint makes his characters realistic through dialogue and reactionsof his characters.

In the end, it is the plot that keeps readers hooked.The book reviewer Aaron wants revenge on the people that do not like him.He gets a computer expert to sabotage the web site called the Wordwood, visitedby many people. Unaware that the site is inhabited by a spirit, Aaron setsoff the
disappearance of several people as the spirit strikes back fromthe attack. Christy, his shadow Chrisitana and others must venture into theborder lands to rescue their loved ones and confront the spirit. Mr. de Lintwrites a tight plot that makes the book hard for readers to put the bookdown for any length of time.

Spirits in the Wires by Charlesde Lint is a superb, entertaining book of urban fantasy. A powerful senseof a fantastical reality is brought about in the book through its setting,characters and plot. Mr. de Lint is a master of mythical urban fantasy. Thislatest book, set in the fictional
city of Newford adds another engaging story to Charles de Lint’s impressive list of books.

Review: _Alphabet of Thorn_ by Patricia McKillip

Words have power. A book written in the shape of thorns endangers a large kingdom at a time of changes. This is the premise of Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip. The book is a powerful novel by a master of the Fantasy genre with its descriptive setting, intriguing characters and tight plot.

Ms. McKillip provides a descriptive setting that makes the book powerful. Readers learn of the kingdom of Raine, which is made up of twelve smaller kingdoms or crowns. The first crown has its huge castle on a cliff on the edge of the sea. Towers overlook the sea while a huge library extends into the depths of the cliff below the castle where the transcribers live. A large plain stretches from the castle to the forest. In the forest is hidden the Floating City of mages. Magic makes the city hide or float above the forest depending on events that occur. This vivid place is brought to life to help influence the characters.

Next, there is an air of mystery around the characters that makes them intriguing. Nepenthe is an orphan who works as a translator of books for the library. She is gifted with the ability to translate ancient languages, but knows nothing about her past, so she is lonely. Tessara is the young queen. She does not want to rule and always hides from responsibility. Bourne is a young mage unsure of his true abilities or loyalties. The three young people face events that help them to grow. Their growth keeps readers excited as to how they will turn out.

Finally, the tight plot helps make the book powerful by keeping the readers’ attention. Ms. McKillip weaves three separate stories into a strong whole. Bourne delivers a book to Nepenthe for translation; a book written in an alphabet of thorns. She begins the translation and becomes obsessed by it. The book tells the story of the ancient conqueror Axis and his sorcerer Kane. While she works on the book, the newly crowned young queen Tessara struggles with her new responsibility. She avoids duties while making new discoveries about herself. Bourne’s uncle plots to overthrow the queen, leaving Bourne feeling confused. Every plot thread comes together in a surprising conclusion.

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip is a powerful contribution to the Fantasy genre. A descriptive setting, intriguing characters and tight plot blend together into a strong book that is memorable. Ms. McKillip writes books that stay with readers for years. Each new book she writes adds to her memorable collection of works. This one increases her status as a masterful writer of Fantasy.

Review: _Knife of Dreams_ by Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time has been a popular series compared by some to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Eleven books have followed the stories of many interesting characters through several events leading to a final battle between good and evil. Now, the penultimate book Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan is out. Fans of the series have eagerly awaited for this volume, which is on the New York Times Bestsellers list. This latest entry in the series is an entertaining read due to its complex characters, detailed setting and dynamic plot.

The complex characters makes the book entertaining by drawing readers into the lives of characters, wanting to see what happens to them. Characters continue to change and grow since the beginning of the series. Rand al’Thor was not prominent in this book. All though the main character, his appearance was limited, but he suffered some changes. Egwene demonstrates her cleverness and strength as a prisoner of the White Tower. A main focus was on the character of Matt Cauthon. He struggles with protecting lives of people while courting the woman he loves. Other characters are changed by events as the author adds more complexity to his characters. They make the book entertaining while moving through an interesting setting.

The setting is interesting due to the author’s detailed, vivid descriptions. There is a well developed history the world with different cultures. Events from the past are linked to the present in a world following a pattern of ages. Readers learn how the throne of Andor is decided by a game among houses. The culture of the invading Seanchan empire is demonstrated through various characters. The overall setting contributes to a dynamic plot.

Finally, the book’s dynamic plot hooks readers and keeps the story entertaining. Switching through different plot lines and viewpoints, readers follow character that are spread out in different part of the land. Change is in the air as the final battle approaches. Rand tries to get a truce with the Seanchan in order to prepare for the battle. His friends Matt and Perrin are in far places dealing with the women in their lives. Perrin strives to rescue his wife from captivity while Matt tries to protect Tuon from assassins. The women in Rand’s life go through trials too. Elayne struggles to win the throne of her nation. Various servants of the Dark work their plots everywhere. Mr. Jordan keeps the plot movie with action and startling events.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan is an entertaining edition to the series with its dynamic plot, complex characters and detailed setting. Fans of the series should be satisfied that this book moves the story forward in several plot threads; a slow pace was the main complaint of the last book. This book is a good entry to set up what is coming. Hopefully readers will not have to wait too long for the last book.

Review: _Prospero's Children_ by Jan Siegel

Legends of ancient times continue to fascinate people in the modern world. The legend of Atlantis is one of the most popular ones to longer. Whether a city or continent, Atlantis supposedly had an advanced civilization until it was destroyed. Scientists still argue its existence today. Some Fantasy authors incorporate the legend into their books to spark readers’ sense of wonder. Prospero’s Children by Jan Siegel is the first book of a trilogy about the influence of Atlantis. The books’ setting, characters and plot creates a memorable read for readers.

The author uses vivid descriptions of the setting that stays in the reader’s memory. In the beginning, readers are introduced to an old house in the countryside of Yorkshire. It once belonged to an old sea captain and is furnished with his keepsakes from around the world. The three storey old house creates a strong atmosphere of otherness. Atlantis is described as a beautiful city built inside an old volcano. Golden buildings and mansions on terraces are part of a grand city. Setting plays an important role in shaping the characters.

Realistic characters provide readers with people to identify with in the book. Fernanda Capel is the main character. She is sixteen and independent, but unaware of her magical gift. Her inner strength helps her to guide her brother Will and father through difficult times. Alison Redmond becomes her nemesis in the form of a dangerous witch. Fern gets help from an old Wizard called Ragginbone and his wolf companion Lougarry. Later in the book she meets Rafarl, a noble young man of Atlantis. The author makes these characters real with colorful descriptions of their lives.

A strong plot keeps the reader entertained and the book in their thoughts. This book has such a plot. When Fern and her family stay the first night in the house, she hears a strange snuggling outside of her bedroom door. a shadow saves her by preventing entry into her room. She meets Ragginbone who tells Fern of her danger. The threat comes from her father’s girlfriend Alison Redmond. Fern fights the witch, but faces a greater challenge in Atlantis. Ms. Siegel keeps the plot moving at a fast pace with tight plot threads along a straight path.

Prospero’s Children by Jan Siegel is an excellent first book of a Fantasy trilogy. The setting, characters and plot makes the book a memorable, entertaining read. Ms. Siegel creates an action packed beginning based on the legend of Atlantis and its intriguing magic. On finishing this book, readers will eagerly want to seek out the next two books. The author also writes under the name of Amanda Hemingway.

Welcome to Fantasy Worlds

Hello,

This is the new home of Fantasy Worlds. My biweekly articles on Fantasy used to appear at Suite101. They will now appear here. I'll be posting new articles every other Friday, beginning Friday, January 13, 2006. I hope everyone will enjoy this new site as a blog. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for articles. Thank you.

Debbie Ledesma