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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Weak middle volume... NOT!,
This review is from: Heir of Sea and Fire (Mass Market Paperback)
In most trilogies, the middle volume is the weak one, tying beginning and end together with too little plot. Patricia McKillip skillfully avoids this pitfall in "Heir of Sea and Fire," the second slim volume in her Riddlemaster trilogy, and the story of Raederle, the second most beautiful woman in An. A year has passed since Morgan of Hed vanished at Erlenstar Mountain, and suddenly the land-rule passes to Morgan's brother -- a sign that Morgan is dead, that the harpist Deth has betrayed him. As he was the Star-Bearer, assorted people are extremely upset. And a few refuse to believe that it can be true. Raederle's father is one of them; after he leaves, his daughter meets the Morgul of Herun, and her brother in Caithnard. There she teams up with the Morgul's daughter, Lyra (whom Morgan met in "Riddlemaster") who is angry at Morgan's supposed death, and eager to accompany Raederle wherever she goes. They set off on a ship, going to Erlenstar Mountain, and soon find that aside from Raederle, Lyra, and Lyra's fellow guards, they also have Tristan of Hed stowed away (who is promptly seasick). Raederle finds out that Morgan has recently appeared, kept captive by the mysterious and evil Ghisteslwchlohm, and betrayed by Deth -- who is now on the run from everyone. But as Raederle's questions are answered, more pop up. She encounters a shapechanger, and then runs into Deth camping in the woods. Answers about the High One, about Morgan, and about her own abilities and heritage begin to come to light, as the dead of An begin to blaze back into existance. Raederle must bargain with fate and a dead king, using only her newfound powers and a crowned skull, to save Morgan -- and the rapidly unraveling world. Wow, where to begin? Well, for one thing, Patricia McKillip delivers a wallop in book two of three, explaining many of the things she brought up in "Riddlemaster" and starting the buildup to the huge climax in book three (which I am now twenty pages into). This book (thankfully) does not end on a cliffhanger like "Riddlemaster"; also, if you are looking for an immediate answer to the cliffhanger previously shown, then you will be frustrated enough to give the Great Shout. In addition, we are given another character who is as realistic as Morgan: Raederle, the second-most beautiful woman in An. Her looks are only brought up a couple times, as it's her strength, brains, and search for the truth and for Morgan that catch the reader -- and are most often displayed. The explanation for her growing power and the use she makes of it is as breathtaking as Morgan learning how to become a tree or a vesta. The scenes where she dangles the crowned skull to get that dead king to bargain with her was priceless, and the climax is shattering. McKillip's skill in describing magic grows even further; the descriptions of what Raederle is doing are like poetry. In addition, she does not remain a static character as she learns shattering truths and encounters strange people; she grows more mature and stronger. We don't see Morgan much, though we hear a lot about him, and his sudden growth of power. More we see of Raederle and Lyra, who is fleshed out from the more shadowy character from "Riddlemaster." It's a rare gift to write strong women convincingly. Deth remains strange and ambiguous -- he betrayed Morgan, yet makes no excuses for himself. Other characters like the Morgul and Morgan's siblings are more absent (though what Tristan does is a bit unforgettable). McKillip's writing is a bit more flowery than in "Riddlemaster," more descriptive and dreamy in parts. We get a few more puns on "Hel," such as that the Star-Bearer's path was leading straight into Hel. (Hel being a region) Overall, an astounding piece of work and a worthy sequel to "Riddlemaster." I'm itching to read more of "Harpist in the Wind."
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a stellar series-- why is the 2nd book out of print?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Heir of Sea and Fire (Hardcover)
I would highly recommend this book, and indeed, the whole series, to any fantasy reader. Admittedly, I have not read all of Ms. McKillip's offerings, but I have read extensively in this field, and I found this to be a highly moving, intelligent, and succinct trilogy. Heir of Sea and Fire is especially integral to the reading of the series, as it is, after all, the second and middle book. I just want to ask, who flubbed up and let this one go out of print, while leaving the first and last in print? What a loss!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy heir to the legacy began in the first book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Heir of Sea and Fire (Mass Market Paperback)
Having read this series in order beginning with The Riddlemaster of Hed, I knew this second book would not immediately answer all of the urgent riddles posed by the climax at the end of book one. The viewpoint shifts from Morgon in the first book to his lady love in the second book. And Raederle is a very believable heroine. She is brave and determined, but there are limitations to how women in this medieval-like society go questing. Therefore her adventures do not merely follow in Morgon's footsteps. She has her own set of riddles to answer, and she finds different ways to answer them. Once again there is more depth to this book than one read-through will unfurl, and readers both young and mature can find significance and pleasure in its pages. The vivid word pictures, innovative magic, and facinating characterizations all enhance an adventure story of myth and wisdom. But still there is a hint of unsatisfaction. The story is incomplete, and riddles go unanswered...until the next installment.
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