by
Lynn Abbey
ISBN: 0-441-01153-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
The maturing heroine make this novel very enjoyable, as her interaction with friends, allies and adversaries reveal more innovative magical system and human relations alike.
Reviewed by David on April 04, 2004
Genre: Fantasy (Magic)
Synopsis: Emma Merrigan is a fifty-year-old librarian, who despite her professional competence, close friends and affectionate step-children had struggled with loneliness and boredom.
Some months ago, however, Emma discovered that she came from a line of magicians—people who can walk in a dream-world and struggle with curses there. The dream-world (everyone has a different word for it) has a real influence on life: the injuries sustained there can kill for real. However, in this novel, with more experience, Emma explores the advantages that it can bring. Knowledge. Companionship. Even healing of wounds.
But along with the duty to battle dangerous curses come the knowledge of others like her—ancient magicians, replete with knowledge, money, and, of course, politics.
Emma may be a novice in magic, but her life has tought her stubborness, problem-solving and political skills. She will not relinquish her independence.
Full Review: Emma is becoming a more formidable individual. Getting more comfortable with the her otherworldly skills, she's ready to take on more supernatural curses. Many of her struggles are in the human relation domain, though: difficult employees, overly eager helpers, old and overbearing magicians. Even an immature, irritating, but sometimes captivating mother who looks about twenty.
But Emma's maturity anchor her there as well, and her stubborn determination to do the right things win her a place in both lives: at work and in her supernatural struggles.
The relationships are handled well, the supporting cast is well-defined, and Emma's growth make for a solidly enjoyable novel. The magic system is not derivative, and its freshness adds to the charm of the adventure.
While it stands well on its own, the novel is more satisfying in context (after reading the previous two books). One is eagerly anticipating future developments for Emma, the librarian-cum-curse-hunter.
Overall: 6.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 2004, Berkley Publishing Group (Ace), April 2004, Mass-market, 328 pages
ISBN: 0-441-01153-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com