From School Library Journal
Grade 9-12 In this final volume of the "Rulers of Hylor" trilogy (Atheneum), the evil magician Rosmer tricks King Sharn Am Zor, co-ruler of the Chameln, into entering the magical land of Eildon as a suitor for the hand of the princess. Instead of meeting dishonor and death, however, the proud and willful Sharn, in a moment of revelation, learns "to be a man and a king." In the end he turns Rosmer's planned triumph into final defeat, at the cost of his own life. This fantasy stands on its own, although readers new to the series may find the first chapter slow going because of the wealth of names and personalities introduced. Characters are well-drawn; clothes, architecture and food are richly detailed, giving readers a real sense of the world of Hylor. Magical scenes in particular are original and haunting. Wilder's plot unfolds with a cinematic sweep which creates certain problems. The constant use of the present tense gives a breathless feeling to the story, while the depiction of the hero through the eyes of a series of minor, yet more sympathetic, characters makes for lack of focus. When readers come closer to Sharn, near his death, they'll wish that they could have known him better. Despite these flaws, Wilder's talent has created characters who linger in the mind long after the story is over. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
