author : Diana Pharaoh Francis

Reisil is a foundling, brought up by the impersonal kindness of the township of Kallas, never belonging. But now, trained as a healer, she is finally beginning to find her own place and her own worth. So when the goshawk Saljane arrives, announcing her as one of the ahalad-kaaslane, agents of the Blessed Lady, she fiercely rejects the gift. But then an act of treachery threatens to throw her country back into a terrible war, and she finds herself forced to acknowledge her now-damaged bond with Saljane.

Reisil is a strong, competent character, coming to terms with her new life that has ripped apart her hard-won acceptance. The trials she goes through are realistically uncomfortable, and nothing is too easy (except maybe when the Goddess steps in to lend a hand, and grant Reisil a new power). Saljane comes through as a real character, too, without being too anthropomorphic. The plot manages the standard quest theme, without degenerating into a mere search for Plot Coupons, as Reisil and her colleagues chase after a kidnapped Princess. And although things finish up satisfactorily, the don't have a "reset" or conventional happy ending, either.

There are another two in the series. it will be interesting to see how Reisil copes with the enormity of her new powers, and if the Goddess can manage not to interfere so often...

Reisil has saved her country from a war with the wizards, and goes to join the rest of the ahalad kaaslane at the court of the Iisand. But they, and all the nobles treat her with fear and mistrust. The country is now being ravaged by plague and magical nokulas, and Reisil's healing magic has deserted her in this hour of her greatest need. In this hostile atmosphere, she must work to save her country from this new peril. Maybe the only thing she can do is go to the enemy wizards for help.

Somewhat slower, and more disjointed, than the first in the trilogy, this is mainly scene setting for the big final battle to come. It jumps around several viewpoints, and is mostly just grim struggling against an ever-worsening situation: a problem that besets many middle books of trilogies.

Reisil must battle many foes to win the final battle, and save her country from the plague, the wizards, and several new threats including a new corrupt ruler. Everything seems against her, but she now has her magic back.

This is just one long battle after another for Reisil as she has to stop the magic flood between worlds opened by the wizards, with everyone trying to stop her, for different reasons. We have battles against armies of wizards and magical beasts, and battles to overcome trials set her to prove her worth -- all is grittily exhausting. A non-stop roller-coaster ride.