Wild Magic
Book Two of Fools Gold Jude Fisher
Jonathan Ball
Paperback, 565 pages, R89.95
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson, 10 August 2004
Book Two is a much darker book than Book One. We gradually find out a lot
more about the origin of the Rosa Eldi, in fact more than she herself yet
knows. She is now the wife of King Ravn. He is now totally fixated by her and
his desire for a son and cannot concentrate on matters of state.
Tycho Issian is also physically inflamed with his desire for the Rosa and
uses the fact that his daughter Selen has apparently been kidnapped to
drum up an army to rescue her, but in fact to really get his hands on the Rosa.
Aran Aransen, Katla's father, has a different agenda. He has a map to find
his way to Sanctuarri and believes that he will make his fortune if he
can get there. He sends his son Harri to abduct King Ravn's shipmaker to force
him to construct an icebreaker for him. Katla is forbidden to go but
she knocks out her twin, Fent, and takes his place. Tragically on their return
Harri and his new wife Jemma are lost when the ship is attacked by a sea
monster.
Virelai is forced into service with Tycho Issan and the sorcerer's magical
cat Bete manages to escape. Rahe, the sorcerer, on Sanctuarri plots his
revenge and plans also to regain the Rosa Eldi.
Aran Aransen's expedition, which is also doomed to tragedy, leaves the
women and children behind at the mercy of evil raiders who have come to get
the King's shipmaker back and who murder and rape indiscriminately.
The Rosa Eldi, unable to conceive, weaves a web of magic, and takes in
Selen Issian, who is pregnant from her rape by Tanto Vingo, who has lost his
manhood after she had stabbed him.
As I said a much darker book, but still very entertaining. The characters
are mostly believable and the writing flows. I shall look out for the
next volume, which I hope will unravel all the convolutions that this one sets
up.
Recommended.
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