The lone elf survivor in the repressive age of The Inquisition, Natil encounters three things that keep her from departing this world--a young woman hearing voices, a vision of the future, and an Inquisitor.
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The author of the Lambda Award-winning Gossamer Axe (1990) produces another winning combination of intrigue and imagination. Largely set in times of torture and the Inquisition, it spans hundreds of years and thousands of miles as the last elf struggles to aid an apostate nun on the run, meanwhile dreaming of a distant future when elven magic will reawaken. Although Natil the harper, more woman now than elf, can glimpse a 747's gleam in the sky while within earshot of the Inquisition's agonies, she must rely on her human wits, dwindling magic, and, most of all, her faith in "The Lady" for the elven magic to survive. Baudino gives us minutely detailed images of a medieval world beset by poverty and greed, political scheming in the name of gold and God, and brutal exploitation of the weak by the powerful. The colors, sounds, and stenches of the time live, as do its otherworldly yearnings for goodness and godliness, its dark nights of the soul for villains and heroines alike, and its crises of faith that, whether Christian or pagan, are ultimately themes for all ages. Whitney Scott
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story in the best tradition of Science Fiction/Fantasy,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shroud of Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
The best of science fiction/fantasy doesn't just tell old worn familiar stories with new props (dragons instead of horses); it helps us live another vision, another time in history, another point of view. It challenges our thinking, makes us walk in the other persons shoes, and kicks our butts out of the daily rut. It tells us stories that we have to keep thinking about for awhile after the book is finished. Gael Baudino's "Shroud of Shadow" is such a work. The story takes us back to the days of the Inquisition and the death of magic. It leads us through our own history as the last Elf ...passing among humans as a woman harpist...struggles with a world bereft of beauty, and one almost lost to hope. The writing is beautiful, the experience both chilling and disturbing. Let yourself read this book. Let yourself talk a walk through the past that will raise questions about our present...and future.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: Explicit Sexual Violence,
This review is from: Shroud of Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
WARNING TO SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS: This book has quite explicit depictions of sexual abuse and is likely triggering.
The author substitutes gratuitously explicit descriptions of torture and sexual abuse for narrative tension, plot advancement, and character development. Not impressed. This is a book of many flaws: in terms of story, in terms of structure, in terms, even, of simple proofreading. It is tedious, it is populated by almost entirely unsympathetic characters, it has nothing particularly insightful to say about human nature nor has any particularly novel or thoughtful way of putting it. Much of the plot is painfully predictable. It is not utterly without merits: the character of Omelda is well drawn and psychologically realistic, if no pleasure to read. But the only reason I slogged all the way through was because I was stuck home with a cold and had already read the backs of the cereal boxes. I can't imagine recommending it to anyone else.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Last Elf trys to find hope!,
By "sibug" (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shroud of Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
Natil is the last of her peaple and her powers are fading. She still trys to heal even if all she can give is a song. The church is burning anything and any one it can not accept. Is there still room in the world for magic or elves anymore. Gael Baudino's 'Shroud of Shadow' is a dark book as the title might suggest but it is not just about what harm peaple do to each other it is also about redemption.There is light at the end of the tunnel.A compelling read.
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