Surely you’ve read this jewel of a novel, of a reclusive wizard woman Sybel who has collected a coterie of magic companions: The Black Swan, the Lion, the Boar, the Cat. The ephemeral Liralen the most magic of them is yet to join the group. Sybel has had no success calling Liralen to her no matter how long she has tried.

Like many fundamental fantasies, Sybel lives in an isolated, austere castle, with occasional forays into the village below. She is related to some of the rulers of kingdoms around her,

But the village witch is almost the only one she talks with besides a few visits from ruling nobility. One such prince named Coren comes to her castle gates one night and gives her the motherless baby of her aunt. Sybel reluctantly takes the baby, naming him Tamlorn. As the boy grows, tensions in Eld arise. Tamlorn finds out at age twelve his father is the aggressive king of Drede…who eventually comes looking for him and takes him to live with him with his consent. War supplies, attack plans and soldiers are quickly being organized.  Meanwhile, Drede, desiring Sybel’s power, finally confronts her intent on making her his, as well, But the nearby kingdoms are being riled up and Sybel is being caught in the middle of it. And Tamlorn, steadfast and true, decides he owes loyalty to Drede. The best scenes in the book are the arguments between Drede, Coren and Sybel about what a war amongst them all might result in.

I remember enjoying the novel quite a bit when it was first published. But now, sadly, it comes off rather stiff and Sybel narcissistic; all the events swirl about Sybel and her needs and those around her….even the forgotten beasts of Eld. And to no purpose really…none of the beasts help the surrounding communities and it’s not very clear why Sybel needs these creatures because most of the time they are ornamental  symbols.

However, to be fair, the writing really is rich and descriptive and the novel ends as it should with an airy fantasy touch. ~~ Sue Martin

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