From Publishers Weekly
In pursuit of what he believes to be an escaped lab rat, graduate student Benton Collins stumbles into the alternate reality of Barakhai in this highly entertaining debut of a new series from fantasy maven Reichert (Flightless Falcon; the Renshai Trilogy; etc.). The white rat turns out to be Zylas, a resident of a world called Barakhai, where half of one's life must be spent in animal form. It's a lesson that Collins learns too late, after his hunger and Boy Scout training lead him to kill, butcher, cook and eat an incredibly tame rabbit. When he's immediately arrested and imprisoned, he finds out that his dinner was not just a rabbit but Joetha, a "sweet old woman." Charged with the capital crime of cannibalism, he faces hanging the next morning. But in a far from unexpected twist, he's rescued, since he's been lured to Barakhai for a reason that won't be accomplished if he's dead. Zylas the rat/man and Falima the horse/woman, among others, need his help in their struggle against Barakhai's rulers, who are the only residents of the world who don't switch form. In a meeting with a dragon/woman, Prinivere, Collins learns that this switching of forms is actually an ancient curse and only the theft of a magic stone can save them from their dual existence. Reichert, who raises livestock on her 40-acre Iowa farm, treats the reader to a credible and well-executed escape. Fans of light fantasy and animal rightists will eagerly await further volumes in the series.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Graduate student Benton Collins chases a runaway lab rat into another universe, peopled by a race of shape-shifting humans. When he runs afoul of their laws, he faces certain death until a few rebel natives rescue him and enlist his aid in overthrowing the tyrannical rulers of their world. This series opener by the author of the popular Renshai Chronicles novels features an ingenuous hero and a cast of wise-cracking, good-hearted characters in a story of high adventure and gentle humor. A good choice for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
