The Belly of the Wolf (Lens of the World, Book 3) [Paperback]

R. A. MacAvoy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lens of the World, Book 3 | Publication Date: February 1995

After the death of King Rudolf, Nazhuret journeys back to his homeland to intercede in a rebellion led by an old student, but soon finds himself involved with a diplomatic assassin, conversing with ghosts, and battling sea monsters. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

MacAvoy concludes what may be one of the best fantasy series of the decade with this follow-up to her Lens of the World and King of the Dead. Here Nazhuret, unwilling warrior-philosopher who seems unable to avoid political intrigue, has grown old, living with his daughter Nahvah (herself an accomplished fighter) and poignant memories of his deceased wife. News comes of the death of Nazhuret's long-time friend King Rudof, ruler of his native Velonya, and of the strife which has ensued as patriotic rebels refuse to recognize Rudof's son Benar as the new king. Inspired by bastardized versions of Nazhuret's own philosophies, the rebels claim that Benar had a hand in his father's death, and Nazhuret--reluctant as always--sets out to clear things up before Velonya tears itself apart. As in earlier volumes, MacAvoy subverts the heroic fantasy tradition with a languid approach to action and an unusual interest in the depths of character--though there is plenty of swordplay, there is even more of Nazhuret's thoughts--and her prose is graceful, understated and vivid. Anyone who doubts that fantasy can be literary, artistic, thoughtful and genuinely moving need only follow Nazhuret's adventures to learn otherwise.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA?The "Lens of the World" is Nazhuret, the half-breed orphan of two nobilities whose separateness enables him to bring the world's realities into a clear focus. In this book, readers discover that they have been trespassing on Nazhuret's privacy; the earlier two volumes in the trilogy have been published without his permission, and their power has gained him unwanted followers. With the death of his great friend, King Rudof, Nazhuret finds himself unwillingly drawn into the struggle for power being fought in the name of a philosophy he disavows, but which is inextricably linked to him. Combat, flight, assassinations, duels, and wilderness survivals crowd the plot, but despite the action, this is a thoughtful book. Nazhuret finds himself reflecting not only on his existence and its meaning, but also on his inner self. It is a moving and fascinating culmination to the life of the hero we have watched mature. However, this reflective point of view probably makes this volume the least accessible to a YA audience. As with the earlier titles, there is a wonderful synergy between the prose style and the creation of the character of Nazhuret. His "voice" becomes yet more personal and more effective in drawing readers to his unique perspective. Two terrific supporting characters, Nazhuret's daughter, Nahveh, and the painter-duelist Count Dinaos provide a piquant contrast. As in the past, Nazhuret takes readers on an exhilarating journey; but this time, his quest takes them to an inner destination.?Cathy Chauvette, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm); Reprint edition (February 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380710188
• ISBN-13: 978-0380710188
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,246,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't disappoint but could have been developed more., March 3, 2004

By 

M. A. Powers "paperfiend" (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Belly of the Wolf (Lens of the World, Vol 3) (Hardcover)

I've been a fan of MacAvoy's since reading Tea With the Black Dragon in highschool 20 years ago. I fell in love with the Damiano trilogy shortly thereafter and have read it many times since. I even managed to get my then-future husband, a very reluctant reader, to read all three. I've just finished re-reading the Lens of the Word trilogy which I had actually checked out of the library for my daughter who had asked me to pick her out something interesting.

In the final installment of this series, MacAvoy does the unusual (and some would say unthinkabe) by killing off two of her main characters before the story even begins. Nazhuret is living a peaceful scholarly existence with his grown daughter Nahvah in Canton, far from Velonya. Still mourning his soul mate Arlin, four year's dead (presumably from illness which the author chose not to elaborate on), he learns of the death of his friend, King Rudof. This same day Nazhuret and Nahvah escape an assassination attempt (Nahvah's skill is medicine and hand guns) and flee Canton on a Felonk vessel. Here they meet up with a nobleman of Lowercanton, famous as a brilliant artist and deadly duelist. I don't think I'm spoiling anything for the astute reader who will quickly see what Nazhuret does not---that the Duke has romantic designs on him. Contrary to what an earlier reviewer stated, this kind of thing isn't uncommon at all in fantasy, although it is unusual for MacAvoy who generally only hints at homosexual tendencies in minor characters.

A homoerotic attraction is not out of character for Nazhuret since he was never certain of his own inclinations. If homoeroticism is something you enjoy, you will not encounter much in this novel. There are some blushes, elusions, a few catty comments but nothing steamy or overt. That Nazhuret and the Duke become companions is only hinted at at the end of the book athough in a way that leaves no doubt in the reader's mind.

I was a bit unsatisfied with the ending which seemed a bit hasty and pat. I noticed that this installment was quite a bit thinner than the first two books in the series. I would have liked if she had developed the burgeoning relationship between Nazhuret and the Duke a bit more. Also, MacAvoy introduces some potentially interesting characters without really fleshing them out. One of these is Timet , a young initiate of the sect which has grown around Nazhuret's writings in his absence. There are encounters between him and Nazhuret which ultimately lead nowhere and he winds up merely as a love interest for Nahvah in the penultimate page of the novel. As I said, just a little too pat.

Considering the depth that went into the first two installments, this one seemed a bit sketchy. That said, a sketchy novel from MacAvoy is still excellent reading! Had I been reading the work of a less talented writer it is doubtful I would have been engaged enough by secondary characters to care to know more about them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another beauty by MacAvoy, December 14, 1999

By 

Fosky Bob "human" (Vacaville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Belly of the Wolf (Lens of the World, Book 3) (Paperback)

Those who have read the reviews I posted for the first two books in this series know that I have not been overwhelmed, citing reasons such as bland characterization and lack of plot for my opinion. This third volume changes all that. MacAvoy gives us a good plot and finally develops Nazhuret into a rich character.

MacAvoy gives us a treat, letting the reader watch Nazhuret age from a child to a man of 55 years throughout the series. Here, Nazhuret tries to save Velonya from itself while struggling with personal demons. He looks for other options besides seizing leadership. He comes to terms with the loss of his late wife. A treat for the reader.

MacAvoy explores Nazhuret's sexuality. First, he paired off with a woman who always dressed like a man. Now we see a potential romance blooming with Dinaos (which is hinted on the last page that it did happen). It doesn't fit with my political leanings, and I'm not convinced it belongs in books (if I wanted sex I'd pick up one of those Harlequins), but it's a perspective rarely seen in fantasy.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MacAvoy grasps the delicate wonder dwelling somewhere in all, January 12, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Belly of the Wolf (Lens of the World, Book 3) (Paperback)

Pick up any work of MacAvoy's and you enter a strange realm where you get to share her appreciation of the somewhat mystical nature of our existance. She allows you to easily slip into the universe she creates and her characters come alive with their strengths and weaknesses