From Publishers Weekly
In a thoughtful and well-crafted epic fantasy, a weary old man recalls the search for legendary lands he and another made and the lasting effect those attempts wrought on the inhabitants of a fearful, stagnating city. As a dissipated young merchant, the narrator, Amalric Antero of Orissa, comes to his senses after being rescued from a procurer by Captain Janos Greycloak. The two decide to seek the "land of fabled wealth and wizardry," the Far Kingdoms, where Greycloak hopes to further his (illegal) studies of magic. Their dreadful voyage brings them close, but betrayal by the conjurer Evocator Cassine, who accompanied them, forces their return to Orissa. Tales of their voyage inflame the imaginations of fellow Orissans. Inspired to oppose the ruling Evocators, they organize a new, grander expedition, led by Greycloak. Antero stays home with Deoce, the wife he married on the initial voyage. The loss of most of the second expedition and additional natural disasters nearly destroy Orissa's newfound resolve, while the deaths of Deoce and their child nearly destroy Antero. Then he and Greycloak set out on a final voyage. Cole and Bunch wrote Empire's End .
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
First hardcover outing for the authors of numerous paperback fantasy collaborations. Young trader's son Amalric of the port city of Orissa must soon depart on his test-of-character voyage, known as Finding His Tradewind. With warrior-scholar Janos Graycloak, Amalric decides to search for the fabulous Far Kingdoms. One small complication: They must take along one member of the local magician's guild, or Evocators, in this case the weak and treacherous Cassini--who, true to type, betrays and abandons them in a far, perilous land. Returning to Orissa, Amalric and Janos find Cassini stirring up the Evocators against them, while Amalric's father lies dying. Later, their second expedition falls foul of Cassini and the hereditary enemies of Amalric's family. Escaping from vile magical imprisonment, Amalric and Janos return to Orissa, this time to overthrow the Evocators and triumphantly mount a third expedition. Finally, they reach the Far Kingdoms, which are indeed rich and powerful with magic. Amalric sees plenty of opportunities for trade with Orissa, but Janos, meanwhile, becomes obsessed with Far Kingdom magic and eventually loses his soul to the Dark Seeker; Amalric is forced to kill him. Churning but undistinguished. --
Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
