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5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoying the journey - can't wait for the next book., Mar 28 2004
A fantastic read. Get the whole series.30 years of a possible 500-year storyline have passed by the end of this book. The main character, Arithon has found refuge from the curse of the Mistwraith and is about to embark on several months of contemplation and study with Davien the Betrayer as a company. Arithon has mastered his conscience and accepted himself, and this will have a huge impact on the way he will do things in future books. The message of this book is clear: when we face ourselves, come accept ourselves completely, good and bad, then we can move on. When we change in ourselves, this will start to be reflected in the world around us. Ms. Wurts never shirks from her chosen path of challenging the reader on all levels. From the unfamiliar words set in beautiful Austen-like prose, to the impact that emotion, or a sweep of beautiful scenery should have on our senses, but doesn't because of our jaded modernity, she doesn't hold back one iota. She challenges assumption, never letting us settle for any kind of answer, only further and deeper insight and understanding. The result is a rich tapestry of character, detailed physical settings; taut, unabashed emotion; thought-provoking twists of plot and character development; woven through with ideals of love, and full of contrasts like truth and lies, love and lust, true vocation and ambition. My favourite aspect of Wurt's writing in this series is her version of Magic. She blends scientific and esoteric principals to lend a sense of massive cosmic force and adds variety to this vision by including elements of individual spiritual progress, training and personality quirks. I particularly like the notion that all things, animate and inanimate have a consciousness and that in order to use even the tiniest stone; the magic user has to ask permission. The sacredness of nature is celebrated and at the same time is under attack by the greed of the townborn - and as the reader, I am as anxious about that issue, as I am for the Paravians to return, for Elaira and Arithon to unite, for the Mistwraith to be beaten, the Fellowship to be together and the Royal families to return and restore the Clanborn to freedom etc... It's not a series for the faint-hearted, complacent or jaded. Be prepared to live it as you read it.
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