From Publishers Weekly
Sequel-itis takes hold of Cole and Bunch as they rehash much of the ground already covered in the enormously popular earlier books in this series (The Warrior's Tale, etc.). Lord Amalric Antero, who narrates, has grown old and tired of life, but he is revitalized by the appearance of Janela Kether Greycloak, the beautiful granddaughter of his deceased fellow explorer Janos Greycloak. Janela convinces Amalric to join her in yet another quest for the Far Kingdoms, claiming that Amalric's original journey never actually led him to the wondrous land where sorcery would be made quantifiable and accessible to all. So once again the dashing adventurer, accompanied this time by Janela, takes to the high seas, retracing much of the trail detailed in The Far Kingdoms and pursued by both his vengeful son and a rather ineffectual magician. While this novel features less conflict, purpose and plot, as well as fewer new or interesting settings, than the earlier volumes, Cole and Bunch use their enchantingly breezy style to excellent effect, with witty anecdotes lulling the reader into believing that some sort of rousing adventure might be taking place after all.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Cole and Bunch finish one of the most satisfactory recent fantasy trilogies, the saga of Amalric Antero and his kin. Amalric, now an aging widower whose sister Rali (of
The Warrior's Tale) has vanished and who thinks all is well, is visited by the great-granddaughter of his old, sorcerous mentor, Janos Greycloak. It turns out that the Far Kingdoms (the Kingdoms of the Night) have not, as was thought, been found after all. Those kingdoms remain key to the survival of Amalric's city, Orissa, in the face of growing dangers, so Amalric must go questing once more in a dark-toned, even grim, tale that sees him succeed only at a high price. Cole and Bunch bring readers all the virtues they have previously displayed as they deftly balance world building, characterization, action, believable magic, and simple, sound use of the English language to produce a conclusion that, like its predecessors, is highly recommended.
Roland Green
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
