The White Mists Of Power [Hardcover]

Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: First Books; First Edition edition (1991)
• ASIN: B000HZKG1Q
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mysterious Bard, July 16, 2009

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Mists of Power (Hardcover)

The White Mists of Power (1991) is a standalone fantasy novel. It is set in the island kingdom of Kilot, where turmoils and troubles have run rampant. Then King Gerusha made a pact with the Enos to guard the land from bloodshed and civil war. His dynasty has kept the peace through the powers within the Cache near the Palace.

In this novel, Alric is the King's son and heir. He consults the Cache Enos and asks for a prophecy about his future. He will be wise and feared, but threatened with death.

Byron is a bard. He is serving Lord Dakin when another noble mentions that he is a murderer of the Ladylee of Kerry. Dakin releases him for the hounds to follow.

Seymour is a magician on the Dakin estate. His father was Dysik the Great, a powerful wizard, but he can only set fires and do other minor magic. He too has been chased by the hounds.

Afeno is a young thief. His partner Magic has disappeared with their last money. and he is starving in Nadaluci.

Colin is a young boy who is also starving in Nadaluci.

Lady Almathea Jelwra is a noble who covets Lord Dakin's lands.

Nica was a herbwitch on the estate of Lord Dakin. Byron helped her escape after Dakin decided to go after her. When she disappeared, Dakin chased her brother Rury with his hounds. Now she is training to become a magician in Coventon.

In this story, Alric has been trying to learn how to be a king. His father is angered by his questioning of the nobles and he is told to just let things go their own way. He has been promised a ride into the city by Lord Boton, but Lord Ewehl shows up instead in a black carriage.

Alric is taken into the city of Anda, but gets out to walk when the carriage is blocked. He is soon robbed and beaten and crawls into a stable to hide and rest. He is discovered by the stableboy -- Milo -- who fetches Rogren, the owner of the stable.

Cassie treats his hurts, but then Rogren works him too hard and whips him for not finishing his tasks. So Milo and Cassie help him to escape from the stable. Milo takes Alric to his home village.

Milo's mother washes and treats Alric's wounds again. Rogren had rubbed salt in them and Cassie's treatments were ineffective. Then Milo takes Alric to the Palace.

Elsewhere, Byron and Seymour have escaped from Lord Dakin's lands. Byron intervenes in a fight between Afeno and Colin over a dropped sausage and then takes them into his retinue. Nica and her master save Byron and Colin from bounty hunters. Now they have reached the Palace and gain admission as entertainers.

The king is interested in Byron, but his advisors -- Lord Boton and Lord Ewehl -- try to have the bard and his troupe dismissed. The King retains Byron as his bard, but provides other jobs for the rest of the troupe. Byron alternately infuriates and amuses the king.

Lady Jelwra believes that Byron is Sir Geoffry -- the last Lord of Kinsmail -- due to their first encounter. But Vonda -- a magician of Kerry -- recognizes Byron as Dasvid, a bard involved with the Kerry Ladylee. Seymour is not really sure just whom Byron really is.

This tale evolves on two paths throughout the first part of the book. Then these paths merge into a single storyline. And the plot gets even more intriguing.

The prime focus is the bard known as Byron. Others are drawn to him. An assassin is stalking him. The Enos are wary of the white mists of power that lurk within him. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Rusch fans and for others who enjoy tales of ancient kingdoms, political intrigue, and strange magic.

-Arthur W. Jordin

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Careful about plot giveaway in previous review!!, February 6, 2003

By 

"cjfbooks" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Mists of Power (Paperback)

Excellent book that I found years ago and have always remembered - simply and elegantly told, with a big huge "ah hah!" moment payoff that's just so much fun that I'm dismayed by a review below that gives it away. The review was written with all good intentions, I know, but trust me:

If you intend to read this book, don't read the review below entitled "One of My Favorite Books"!!

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Rusch's best work, February 13, 2012

By 

Dr. T. P. GORDON "Lapdog Reader" (Moscow, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The White Mists of Power: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

I have enjoyed the work of Kristine Rusch, particularly the disappeared series of mysteries. I prefer science fiction to fantacy but I bought this one for my kindle based on author. I found White Mist of Power to be a confusing fantasy - the mysterious "Enos" remained mysterious and unexplained all the way to the end of the book. However, don't let this review give you an unfavorable view of Rusch's work. I would rate most of her novels at 5 stars. I particularly enjoyed her recent sequel to Diving the Wreck and the moon detective (disppeared) series.