***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***
Reading Prompt: Fantasy novel that involves a quest
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3
The book begins with an homage to Prometheus, as Clea and her helpers rescue the wizard Ithrazel, who has been chained to a mountain in another dimension for 75 years, where huge eagles tear him to pieces every day, he heals overnight, rinse and repeat.
Once they have rescued their wizard, the party of four resembles a Dungeons and Dragons adventuring party. Graywillow, a Goddess worshipper with magical talents, is the cleric. Clea, our Iron Princess, is the fighter. I guess that leaves poor old Hamo, the shepherd, as their rogue. He seems more like a faithful dog than a rogue (at least until late in the book…).
Clea is striving to do the best she can for the people of her world. Her father is the ruler of their area and he is committed to mining of adamis. This includes enslaving portions of his own population and aligning with the Crystal Mages, the only magic workers whose talents continue to work in a world flooded with adamine. Strange beasts are rising from the waters of the mines and the waterways to destroy the mining villages and Clea is desperate to protect her people. She is also terrified for her young half-brother, who is just coming into his magical powers—she is convinced that the Crystal Mages have secret plans for him.
The novel follows a typical fantasy plot line. Clea is a worthy ruler, disowned by dear old dad, but beloved by the downtrodden. Ithrazel is bitter and grumpy, but he recognizes her potential and returns to her side repeatedly. It was pretty obvious where everything was headed, but the journey was entertaining.
Barbara Hambly has written other novels that I have enjoyed, prompting me to request that our library order this newest offering. This one appears to be a stand alone, but I can see where there is potential to continue the tale. Perhaps if this book is successful there will be further adventures of Clea and her crew.
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