Sorcery Rising
Book One of Fool's Gold
Jude Fisher
Trade paperback, 502 pages, R199.95
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson, 6 April 2004
Katla Aransen is filled with delight that she has at last persuaded her
reluctant father to take her to the Allfair on the mainland of Istria. She
will be able to sell her knives and see something of the world. She cares
little that the world of Elda has changed and that her people have been driven
from their lands by the Istrians and that they now live on the barren Isles of
Eyran. Nor that the Istrians have made a sacred place of Falla's Rock, which
she unwittingly climbs up to be able to look out to sea.
So begin her trials. Her father cuts her long fiery hair and dyes it black
in the hope that she will not be recognised as the transgressor. The Istrians
consider it a sin punishable by death.
Meanwhile, also visiting the Allfair are the Vingo Clan who have come to
buy a bride for their shockingly self-centered and selfish eldest son,
Tanto. His younger brother, Saro, discovers why he has never felt that he
belongs to the family and seems to be used as a semi-servant.
King Ravn Asharsan seeks a political alliance and is not too particular
about how he succeeds in obtaining it.
Virelai, the sorcerer's apprentice, has fled the frozen Sanctuarii in the
North leaving his Master incapacitated. He is accompanied by the Rosa Eldi,
who holds a mysterious sway over men.
Tycho Issian has come to get the highest price for his daughter, Selen, and
does not care at all for her feelings. He falls under the spell of the Rosa
Eldi and becomes even more determined to sell Selen so that he can afford to
buy his bewitcher.
Amongst this colourful tapestry is another force which has been lost for
hundreds of years. It is unleashed and chaos ensues as people discover powers
they did not know they had. The results are lucky for some but not so
fortunate for others. Katla ends up seriously injured; Saro rescues Selen;
Tanto gets his just desserts; and the Master Sorcerer is reawakened. I am sure
we will find out a lot more in the next volume, as Sorcery is Rising again.
This novel is well written and easy to read, if a little predictable at
times. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure
fantasy.
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