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2.0 out of 5 stars
What to give the most beautiful, clever woman in the world?, May 28 2004
While continuing to show Dart Thornton's command of the English language and research into the Faery lore of the British Isles, this was a very disappointing second installment in the trilogy.The mute, already the cleverest gal in the world, regains her voice and face, only to discover that she is also the most beautiful woman in the world, as well. She travels to the Royal City, and discovers that that very handsome ranger-type fellow who was guiding her through the woods was, in fact, the King-Emperor, who has put a war that threatens all humanity on hold in order to find her (and no one bats and eyebrow as, consequently, masses of humanity fall subject to the depredations of the unseelie). They re-unite, and, contrary to the conversations they used to have in the wild, lapse into archaic speech laced with "thees", "thous" and "forsooths", just as any couple would in private. The most beautiful, cleverest woman in the world then becomes the wealthiest, and all her friends, too, as the King begins to give away honors, titles, wealth and a large part of his kingdom to everyone who helped her (is this wise in a state of war?). The only thing she doesn't have is her memory, and a noble title to go with her looks and cleverness. Could she really be a Princess, who has lost her memory? How could she NOT be! Dart Thornton's protagonist becomes VERY annoying in this second volume. She NEVER once faces any real danger, always being rescued by someone or something, and always before the reader has the chance to get even remotely concerned. She can do no wrong, and is always forgiven her transgressions. The woman sinks an island through her stupidity! The woman has no responsibility for her actions, and demonstrates a tremendous, and dangerous (just ask those islanders), capriciousness from her newfound position of influence. Her companions are dead weight, and actually detract from the most beautiful-clever one's progress. So, why does she keep them around? Clearly, the author has become enamored of her protagonist, and, like a maniacal RPG player, wants them to have EVERYTHING. If they have it all, what's the sense of writing a third book? So what's to like? Dart Thornton's evocative use of the English language is extraordinary, and demonstrates a unique talent. The faery tales which she intersperses throughout, while certainly not original (they're hundreds of years old), are at least used originally as a backdrop, and the book is a great read if for no other reason than these faery tales themselves. Anyone familiar with "Faeries" of Froud/Lee will recognize the world in which Dart Thornton places her character. Anyone who has ever seen "Labyrinth" will recognize entire scenes plagiarized, and even the wicked villain seems to be heavily based on Jared, the beautiful faery surrounded by malignant goblins. There really isn't that much original here. The only real originality is in the way Dart Thornton expresses herself (her prose IS beautiful), and the fact that she weaves faery tales into the story of her character. Otherwise, with no danger faced that she won't ultimately be rescued from (and this is a key point in that there is little she has to rescue herself from, with all salvation done by outside agencies), read the book for the faery tales scattered within, and the lovely prose.
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