“Mercedes Lackey is one of my 'go to' authors.......although it's annoying to figure out which trilogy is a spin off of a previous one. *sigh* Occasionally she delivers a less than steller let down, but not this time........although it is a spin off of another trilogy that I have not read. grrr. One pet peeve......an error was found in the text. One of the main characters was called by another name at one point. Other than that one thing I found very little to criticize. The story, in my opinion, moved right along, with no unnecessary lingering on mundane occurances. It was actually a refreshing change that the two main characters, the would be heros, were not living a life of poverty. The (most the time) subtle, sarcastic but fond banter between the two lifelong friends and later the companions who join their quest had me chuckling from time to time. This first book of a trilogy about the age old good versus evil saga is a great start to what I think will progress into an exciting story of boys becoming men, who just happen to live in a world once ruled by magical creatures. Creatures they now must find, because without the help of the other beings they are doomed to failure. A must for Lackey fans and bound to be a great read for any lovers of anything fantasy related.
For a thousand years, since the time of the heroic Kellen the Poor Orphan Boy and the Blessed Saint Idalia, the world has known peace. Humans live side by side with centaurs and brownies; Elves and dragons abide together in their own lands, far from the fleeting lifetimes of humankind. Wild Mages appear only rarely and in times of great need, for the world is Balanced Between Light and Dark.
When Bisochim, a Wild Mage of the desert, finds that the Balance has shifted too far toward the Light, he knows he has discovered his life's mission- he will return Darkness to the world. To his shock, his first attempt is thwarted. Bisochim now has not only a mission, but an Enemy.
Tiercel Rolfort is the eldest son of an Armethalian noble, destined to study Ancient History before settling into a predictable life helping run the City of the Golden Bells. Until his reading reveals a system of High Magic Tyr has never heard of before, Until Tyr decides to cast a spell and sets his bedroom on fire with a single thought. Until his dreams become haunted by a nightmarish vision of a lake of Fire with a beautiful demonic woman at the heart.
Harrier Gillain is Tyr's best friend. Son of the Harbormster. Harrier has been hauling Tyr out of scrapes since he was three years old. When Tyr decides to try to find the Elves and see what they know about High Magic, Harrier knows he'll have to go along. He's the practical one, after all, and someone has to make sure Tyr eats and sleeps and doesn't burn down the whole forest. Harrier has no idea that Tiercel isn't the only one about to discover a brand new destiny.”
