From Publishers Weekly
The fourth book in Bradley's "Light" series (Ghostlight, 1995, etc.) follows white magic Adept Colin McLaren from the turmoil of the 1960s and his meeting with darker magicians, such as Thorne Blackburn, to his retirement as the century turns. Throughout, he is aided by his friend, psychic Claire London Moffat, and haunted by his nemesis, Toller Hasloch, magical child of Nazi occultism. Continuing characters unite an otherwise episodic plot, as McLaren tackles one occult enemy after another, from those facing popular occult writer John Cannon (who for once has stumbled across real black magic) to an ancient Lovecraftian cult. Thematic concerns, too, unite the stories, which explore the temptations and burdens of supernatural power, the relationship of adept and apprentice and the constant fight for idealism in a flawed world. The New York and San Francisco settings are well handled and feature barely fictionalized versions of real-life esoteric sites and practitioners; the tone of the 1960s counterculture also rings true. Preachy but not simplistic, the novel mixes adventure with consideration of emotional, ethical and even social issues and so is of particular appeal to those who enjoy supernatural fiction with a message.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Fifteen years after the end of World War II, Colin McLaren, occult warrior in service to the Light, realizes that the dark powers he fought in Europe have resurfaced in an America lulled into complacency by delusions of peace. Veteran fantasy author Bradley (Gravelight, LJ 9/15/97) employs the cultural and political history of America since 1960 as a powerful metaphor for the constant interplay of good and evil. Despite occasional lapses in continuity, this 20th-century Gothic fantasy stands as a tour de force of occult fiction. Recommended for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
