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

R. A. MacAvoy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1991 | Series: Lens of the World Trilogy, Book II

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a remarkable sequel to Lens of the World , the wandering optician Nazhuret, who has renounced his birthright as a powerful noble, is sent from his native Velonya to the neighboring land of Rezhmia to forestall a disastrous war. Accompanied by his lover Arlin, Nazhuret sets off to see his great-uncle Sanaur Mynauzet, ruler of Rezhmia. Their arrival coincides with an earthquake, which shatters the city and offers an ominous portent for their mission. Nazhuret is greeted fondly by the sanaur and bitterly by Reingish, heir to the throne and Nazhuret's double. The Velonyans survive Reingish's attempts to kill or dominate them, and Arlin saves the life of the sanaur. They fail in their peacemaking attempts, however, and race back to warn their compatriots, along the way uncovering the truth behind the war-provoking incidents. MacAvoy triumphs again in his second chronicle of a man who seeks neither power nor adventure but finds himself in the center of events only he can alter.
Copyright 1991 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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 286 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068809600X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688096007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,887,162 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.