The Usurper's Crown
Book Two of the Isvalta Trilogy
Sarah Zettel
Voyager, a division of HarperCollins
Paperback, 628 pages, R109.95
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson, 9 June 2004
Book Two of the trilogy goes back to what happened before Book One took
place. This is the story of Bridget Lederle's mother, Ingrid Loftfield, who
lives on the shores of Lake Superior.
Ingrid is the oldest child in a large family, with a very restrictive
father who is overly concerned about what other people might think of him if
his children do not conform. He worries that Ingrid does not want to marry
Everett Lederle, who loves her even though she does not love him in return.
Then everything changes for her as she meets Avan, who appears to be a
sailor who has come to work for her father. But Avanasy (his real name) is in
fact a sorcerer exiled from Isavalta by the Empress Medeoan who believes that
he has betrayed her. But in fact she is being deceived by her new husband,
Kacha, who would like to gain control of Isavalta for Hastinapura, his own
homeland.
Avanasy helps Ingrid to save her sister Grace from a ghost, who having
saved Grace from drowning, considers her to be his property. In doing so,
Ingrid discovers that she has an ability to use magic which increases many
fold when she accompanies Avanasy to Isavalta to help him to rescue Medeoan
from the Firebird. The Firebird is a phoenix which has been released into the
world by the Nine Elder of Hung-Tse. It will burn all of Isavalta if it is not
caged. Being a magical bird it needs a magical cage and a spell which will
need a great sacrifice to seal the door.
Once again Sarah Zettel has woven an intriguing tale. It completes much of
the background hinted at in Book One and we discover the true origin of
Bridget and come to understand why she is the person she is.
The intrigue at the Court of Isavalta is also deftly drawn and we also
learn more of The Vixen and the Baba Yaga. The loose ends are pulled closer
together.
As with Book One, I definitely recommend this one and look forward to
reading Book Three.
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