King of the Dead (Lens of the World Trilogy, Book II) [Paperback]

R. A. MacAvoy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lens of the World Trilogy, Book II | Publication Date: December 1992

An attack by paid assassins sets diminutive philosopher Nazhuret and his lady, Arlin, on the road to Rezhmia, a fearsome neighboring kingdom to which Nazhuret is tied by ancient blood. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fantasy author MacAvoy's remarkable sequel to Lens of the World has the wandering optician Nazhuret trying to avert a war.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Where most fantasy adventures deal out magic in bold strokes, MacAvoy's novels exhibit a more elusive quality. In this sequel to Lens of the World ( LJ 5/15/90), Nazhuret the lensmaker travels to the hostile kingdom of Rezhmia to prevent a war. Although magic (of a sort) figures in the plottings of both sides, this story's real strength lies in subtle characterization and attention to cultural detail. Nazhuret and his sword-wielding mistress Arlin are provocative, complex people--like the world in which they live. Libraries that own the previous volume will definitely want this.
Copyright 1991 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: 286 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (December 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038071017X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380710171
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,117,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good work continues., February 16, 2001

By 

K. Garretson (Frederick, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of the Dead (Lens of the World Trilogy, Book II) (Hardcover)

The second book of a trilogy is always difficult, but MacAvoy does a good job as she continues the tale of Nazhuret. I really like how she develops the maturing character of her hero. He finds the truth of his heritage and begins to understand & connect with both sides of his background. The book has much to say about love, loyalty & loss in many permutations. I just reread all three and Book 2 certainly holds its own.

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant, nothing special, December 10, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: King of the Dead (Lens of the World Trilogy, Book II) (Paperback)

Much like the first book in this 'Lens' trilogy, 'King' is well-written and has one or two fairly interesting characters. Unlike 'Lens', this volume has a plot.

Once again the center of the novel is Nazhuret, reducing everyone else to stick figures. The character of Arlin stays in the background. For the purposes of this book all you need to know is that she's a woman and she'll fight for Nazhuret. Nothing else. The most intriguing character, Powl, is hardly seen.

MacAvoy makes some baffling character decisions. The eunoch whose name I can't remember at one point appears to be in love with Arlin...but it's never revisited. It's never relevent.

I suppose I don't care for MacAvoy's writing. The dust jacket shows several rave reviews for these books. I just don't see it. I can't fault her mechanics, only the intangibles.