The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 2 [Paperback]

The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 2 (2009) is an omnibus edition of the Landover series, following The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 1. In the previous omnibus, Ben became the King of Landover, learned how to invoke the Paladin -- the king's champion -- and foiled attempts to overthrow his rule.

The following is compiled from my more complete reviews of these books, which are also posted on Amazon.

The Tangle Box (1994) is the fourth fantasy novel in this series. Ben has been King of Landover for about three years.

Horris is very angry at Biggar for blowing his con. Biggar might have magically enhanced intelligence, but he is still a birdbrain at times. This time, the bird claims that Skat Mandu contacted him and told him to confess all. Since Horris had created Skat Mandu out of his own imagination, the scammer cannot believe Biggar.

Horris takes the tangle box and escapes from his irritated victims. He is not really sure what the box is, but he conjured it up one day and is very certain that it is the most valuable thing that he possesses. Biggar tells him a sequence of magic words and Horris pronounces them. The box lid disappears, mists arise from the box and they flee through the mists.

They find themselves back in Landover. Then Horris and Biggar are confronted by the Gorse. It tempts them with promises of power over the whole kingdom. The Gorse has Horris write three notes and sends Biggar to deliver them.

Meanwhile, Willow informs Ben of her pregnancy. He is astonished and joyful. He quickly dresses and bounds down the stairs to tell the news to his friends. When he arrives in the dining room, his announcement is delayed by the arrival of Horris and Biggar.

Questor recognizes Horris and is adamant that he should be thrown into a cell in the dungeons. Even Abernathy is against listening to Horris. Yet Ben invites Horris into the chamber and hears his supplication, but only promises to consider the request.

Willow goes on a quest at the invitation of the Earth Mother. She tells Ben that she has to go alone. When she reaches the elemental spirit, the Earth Mother gives her certain instructions.

Ben receives a note under his pillow and goes to meet Strabo at the Heart, but finds Nightshade instead. She too had received a note that she believed came from Ben. Strabo appears after receiving a note from Nightshade. Then Horris triggers the trap and all three are sucked into the tangle box and trapped within the Labyrinth.

Witches' Brew (1995) is the fifth fantasy novel in this series. Ben has been King of Landover for about five years.

In this story, Nightshade has been observing Misty for the past two years. One day, she lets Misty find her hiding in a tree as a white crow with red eyes. After Ben calls Misty back to the picnic, the witch flies away to the Deep Fell to initiate her plans.

The next morning, Willow awakens with a premonition of great harm. Then Abernathy tells them that someone is outside the gates of Sterling Silver. Ben finds a black knight and a hunched companion on the other side of the moat and a black gauntlet thrown down on the causeway as a challenge.

Naming himself Rydell, the knight claims to be the King of Marnhull, an empire on the other side of the fairy mists. He threatens Landover with a huge army of conquest. He asks Ben to relinquish the throne of Landover to save countless deaths from the invasion.

When Ben refuses, Rydell offers an alternative to invasion. He will send seven creatures to fight with Ben or his champion. If Ben wins all seven conflicts, Rydell will leave Landover. Otherwise, Rydell will take the throne from Ben.

Ben finally accepts the challenge. He and Willow send Mistaya to her grandfather, the River Master. But Nightshade attacks the escort and tries to kill Questor and Abernathy. Yet her deadly magic is nullified by Haltwhistle and the court wizard and scribe are translated to Earth instead.

Rydell announces the abduction of Misty and produces her pony as evidence. Willow recognizes the pony and scarves as belonging to her daughter. Ben sends Bunion to check whether Misty had arrived in the Elderew. When Bunion confirms that Mistaya had never reached the Lake Country, Ben starts searching for his daughter elsewhere in Landover.

Meanwhile, Nightshade convinces Misty that she has been rescued from an abduction attempt by Rydell and that her parents know where she is. Then Nightshade offers to teach her magic and Mistaya accepts the offer. Nightshade soon begins her first lesson.

This omnibus is the last of the original series. But another volume has recently appeared: A Princess of Landover. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Brooks fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic kingdoms, perilous adventures, and young magical princess.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I loved these two books. The character development, to me, was very nice as we get to know more about how the characters feel and what exactly motivates them. I'm not one to make a spoilerish review, but if you liked the first volume of The Magic Kingdom of Landover or you read the first 3 books separaely, I'd suggest you get this one if you liked those. There were only two things that bothered me about this omnibus. The first was the lack of chapter demarcations. I suppose there's no provision in the conversion software to do this for an omnibus, but I wish there had been. The second thing was a pet peeve of mine, that being word choice. Perhaps it is because this series is of a fantasy nature, but I really hate the word "without" being used to replace the word "outside" or "out there" or "in the next room" or any other mention of a different location close to where people are now where something else is happening. I can't wait to read The Princess of Landover next.

I love the books from this author. It is great for so many age levels. I have read this several times in my life and could not resist getting it for kindle.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews  4.7 out of 5 stars