Usurper Bk of Kingdoms 2 Pb [Paperback]

Wells Angus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 1989

The second volume in an epic trilogy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Angus Wells writes with a touch of magic. . . This is High Fantasy of the most exhilarating kind."—Robert Holdstock, author of Mythago Wood --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Kedryn, the young prince prophesied the sacred Book of Kyrie, has led the Three Kingdoms to victory over the barbaric northern Hordes commanded by the demonic Taws, the fire-born Messenger of the war-god Ashar. But victory had a terrible price. Kedryn was blinded by an ensorcelled sword in his hour of triumph. Now he must journey into the abode of the dead, accompanied by his beloved Wynett, on a perilous quest to confront the shade of the warrior who wielded the blade. In Kendryn's absence, Taws the Messenger rises again, using his terrible magic to foment bloodshed and rebellion among the Kingdoms. A vivid and exciting tale of courage, adventure, and dark magic by an exciting new fantasy talent, The Usurper is the second spellbinding novel in The Books of the Kingdoms.

"Angus Wells writes with a touch of magic. . . This is High Fantasy of the most exhilarating kind."--Robert Holdstock, author of Mythago Wood --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown Paperbacks (a&C); First Edition edition (September 21, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747402620
• ISBN-13: 978-0747402626
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,656,635 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 Exquisitely written fantasy, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Usurper: The Second Book of The Kingdoms (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel picks up where "Wrath of Ashar" left off. While not as popular as other mainstream fantasy novels, this is truly a splendid example of what great writing can go into the genre. Filled with intrigue and a deep plot drama, I would recommend this novel to anyone with a taste for good authorship and fantasy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling sequel, January 3, 2009

By 

Adam Irving (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Usurper: The Second Book of The Kingdoms (Mass Market Paperback)

A really nice conclusion to the first book, Wells continues to weave his story tightly and imaginatively. I'll admit, I wasn't as interested in the plotline of the Usurper, but that's because I was more interested in the love story Wells laid out. Not that the end was really in doubt, but it was very enjoyable watching the two characters get there. Again, Wells uses excellent description, if sometimes using vocabulary the average reader may find daunting. I'm a fan of letting your reading educate you, so I don't count it as too much of a negative. Wells occasionally uses the "little did he know" motif as clumsy foreshadowing, or to create suspense, but I find such technique irritating. Thankfully, he does it much less than in his later Godwars trilogy. The Usurper also has a sense of suspense and intrigue, combining, quest, love story, and political machinations into one compelling story. I'm a little curious as to where the story will go next, since the ending seems rather conclusive, but I'm sure the last book in the series will be entertaining and enlightening.