Customer Reviews

Wild Magic

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reviewer: Rachael from London
I read SORCERY RISING last year when it came out and thought it was terrific, though it was largely set up for a much bigger story. But the characters stayed with me because they're some of the strongest I've ever read. But even though I'd loved the first book, WILD MAGIC, the second -- which I read overnight, and just couldn't put down -- took my breath away. So many surprises and revelations! The characters I'd remembered developed and grew and revealed themselves to be far more than I'd expected. I particularly love the Rosa Eldi, who was already intriguing in SORCERY RISING, but now is so much more than the rather glorious sexual temptress she was in that part of the story. The way her self knowledge develops is just brilliant. And Tanto - ugh! he's VILE. As for Fent Aranson, what a madman! I love Tam Fox, a perfect counterpart to the wonderful, feisty, crazy, tomboyish Katla Aransen. But I had no idea what was going to happen to either of them. That's the thing, the book is never predictable and absolutely gripping. I SO want to read the final one and find out what happens next.
And Virelai too, he's such a mysterious character. More than a trickster -- is he truly human? I can't wait to find out. This is such a page-turning read, it took me far, far away from all the chaos of my life at the moment, it was the perfect antidote. I just don't know how I can wait a year for the next book. Jude Fisher is absolutely brilliant, as good as Robin Hobb, I'd say and I love her work too.

It used to be a time when I would devour and nearly gulp down whole any book that was a fantasy novel. It didn't matter if it was good or bad or in between, to my hungry young mind, it was all worth it. Now that a few decades have passed, I've gotten more picky about what I read any more. And to my sorrow, most of the time my instincts will prove out right.

Wild Magic is author Jude Fisher's second book in the Fool's Gold trilogy. Picking up right where the first book, Sorcery Rising leaves off, it continues the mysterious goings on in a world that is somewhat close to our own. There are the Eyrans, a blend of hardy, Viking-like seafarers and warriors, and the Istrians, a somewhat more civilized country of fire-worshippers whose treatment of women make the Taliban look like pro-feminists. Every few years, the two nations gather for treaties, marriage arrangements, sports and trading in the AllFair. But a series of insults, botched betrothals and imagined sacrilege has strained relations between the two nations to the brink of war. Caught in between the warring states are the Footloose, nomads who trade trinkets and charms to make their living, and now the Istrians are hunting them down and burning them alive to their fire-goddess, Fala.

What started the entire mess is Virelai, a sorcerer's apprentice who has imprisioned his master, Rahe (the Magnificent) in his artic fortress, and fled with the sorcerous cat, Bete and the Rosa Eldi, the Rose of the World, a woman whose pale beauty incites unbearable lust in men, and plenty of jealousy in women. But the Rose has avoided being sold off to an Istrian lord by marrying the King of Eyra, Ravn, instead. Now Virelai has taken refuge with the Istrian, conjuring forbidden magic using the nasty tempered Bete, and discovering that his own powers are dwindling. Maybe leaving Rahe's fortress of Sanctuary wasn't such a good idea.

Among the Istrians, there's the two brothers, Saro -- a gentle young man who is more inclined to books rather than warfare, and Tanto, hideously maimed and unmanned, and a cad to boot. Saro has recieved a 'gift' from a dying nomad that is bringing him nothing but horrors, something that his brother gleefully exploits. And the Lord of Cantara, Tycho, has been bewitched with a case of priapism that makes Viagra look like children's aspirin.

Then there's the Eyrans, starting with the folk of Rockfall. Aran is determined to raid Sanctuary -- seems that Virelai was selling 'maps' to the hidden stronghold -- and has sent his sons Halli and Fint to coerce the best shipbuilder in the kingdom to make a craft that can withstand the voyage. But his daughter, Katla, who was nearly burnt alive by outraged Istrians, tricks her brother, and takes his place. Now not only does she have to survive among a crew of mummers and cutthroats, but evading the lustful advances of their leader, Tam. Oh yes, not only is Katla a flaming redhead, but she's also a blacksmith with budding magical abilities of her own.

Then there are the Footloose and assorted other characters sprinkled throughout the book. There are about a dozen different ways of making magic, from the spell-casting breath of Bete, visions in crystals, abilities to sense shifts in the earth, and love spells and cantrips that seem to have a mind of their own. And then there's the reawakening of the Rose, who may have the most fearsome magic of all.

Does it all sound confusing?

As with most middle novels, this one does little to carry the story forward. Most of the book is taken up with various characters bemoaning their fate, setting off to get this or that, plenty of sex -- indeed, male lust and the easing thereof is a major component of the story -- and a rather cheerless, humorless series of bloody events and malice. Unlike the first novel which managed to hang onto a sense of humor and had a lively sense of going on with the events of the Allfair, this one just grinds on.

Young lovers drown, sea monsters attack, plenty of women either being raped or sent to flaming pyres, nasty thoughts, malicious mothers-in-law, or just plain mothers, an irritating cat with a bad temper and worse halitosis, and other gimcrackery that borrows from everything and everywhere. While Fisher does manage to create some vivid imagery and narrative, it's such a downer of a book that I kept finding my interest wandering and doing other things while I tried to wade through this sad-sack of a novel.

Will I bother to go on and read the third novel? Probably, since I already have a copy, but otherwise, I don't think I would have bothered. It's rather sad when an author starts out with a few really great ideas, but then runs out of steam halfway through the three-book contract. While the story does start to get interesting about a third of a way through -- this is a massive, bloated novel of more than six hundred pages -- it's hardly enough to keep the reader motivated. A great deal of it is spent reviewing or rehashing the first book, and more of it with the characters going on and on about the mess they are in, or just ruminating.

I'm just glad I didn't plunk the money down for the hardback editions and held out for the mass market paperbound releases. Just barely three stars for this entry in the series.

Once again, a somewhat recommend.

Wild magic walks the world again after centuries of rest. The Rose of the World cannot remember everything but her powers are returning. The cat/beast is still held in captivity, but it is increasingly able to serve its own interests. And the old man has begun to awaken. But before the three are completely empowered, mortal men have much to do. Saro must suffer his family's abuse while the death-stone he carries makes him share their worst memories, Aran Aranson must make his doomed voyage into the ice flows in search of mythical gold. His daughter, Katla Arensen adventures in search of a ship designer, then finds herself forced to do woman's work. Virelai, once apprentice to the great wizzard needs to discover his true calling and escapte the bondage of those who use him. And the great female mercenary, Mam seeks work for her troop.

Author Jude Fisher writes a frustrating combination of fabulous world-building with one-dimensional characters. Katla is a brat-tomboy. Her brother is a crazy coward. Her father is obsessed. Saro is a whiny baby. His brother is a cowardly bully. Growth comes slowly to these characters, especially as few of them are pursuing any particular goal (this makes for fine realism but disappointing reading). Of the major characters, only Aran Aranson seems to have a goal. On the other hand, Fisher's world is fascinating with its different cultures, religions, and the strange trinity that created it and still plays an active force within it.

The first half of the novel is slow sledding. Characters wander around without much purpose, fighting and dying without achieving anything. Once Aran completes his ship, however, Fisher seems to get her second wind and the pace of the story and my interest as a reader picked up as well. Relatively little of the first half is really necessary for the story (the kidnapping of the ship builder could have been handled in the preface) but readers must still labor through it.

WILD MAGIC is a definite step up from the first novel in this series, SORCERY RISING and gives me hope that Fisher will pull things together in the third volume.

At the latest Allfair, the kingdoms of Eyra and Istria put their differences aside to trade manufactured goods made by merchants from both nations. Virelai, who fled Sanctuary and his master in the arctic regions of the north, takes only the Rosa Eldi and the cat, both being more than they seem. While at the Allfair, Ravyn Asharson, king of the Northern Isles, the Rosa Eldi for his wife and they both travel to his estate in Eyra.

Also at the Allfair is Tycho Issian, the Lord of Cantara, who takes one look at the Rose of the ward and wants her. Before he can claim her, she disappears and the Lord forces the sorcerer Virelai and his cat into bondage to him. Once it is discovered that the Rosa Eldi is in Eyra, he whips the Istrian lords into a frenzy, blaming them for the magic that has been set loose in the world. As both sides prepare for war, the Rosa Eldi begins to remember who and what she is and when she realizes what was done to her the entire world of Elda will never be the same.

There are various sub-plots in this epic fantasy that seamlessly tie into the main story line but what direction it will finally take will be found in the next tale of "Fool's Gold." There are varying characters that all play pivotal roles in the plot and the reader understands the motivations and passions driving each one. It will be hard to wait for the next installment in this well written and exciting fantasy series that is so reminiscent of the Sword of Shannara trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

I read the first book and was not too impressed. Jude Fisher does not give the readers any credit and explains situations and plots too many times. There were a few characters that were interesting enough to keep my interest, so I decided to read the second book to appease my curiosity.

Mistake.

The second book is worse than the first. I didn't even bother reading the rest of it. There were only two situations that she wrote about that were remotely interesting and believable. The rest of her characters are just plain uninteresting and their daily struggles are not portrayed well enough for a reader to care about. Her books require no brain thought. She makes it too easy to read. I don't know what else to say.

I guess I could write a few lines that could impress all of you and hope that you find my review helpful, but frankly, her story has no magic too it. Oh Fisher Fans go ahead and leave me a "not helpful vote," just because you don't agree with me. You already enjoy her mediocre writing and this review wouldn't really be helping you at all.

I am frankly shocked by the rest of these reviews. I wonder if we read the same book...

Bishop may be a New York best selling author but her story is weak and needs to be tossed in the trash. Check out Robin Hobb or Anne Bishop if you want more of a challenge.

I just finished an end-to-end reading of this book and its predecessor, "Sorcery Rising" and I am in withdrawal and a state of decline because I can't yet possibly read the forthcoming next book in the series (still being written).

These two books create a robust world, are full of engaging and interesting characters and have a headlong plot with lots of twists and turns.

"Wild Magic," in following four (and more) complex plot lines does so (seemingly) effortlessly and leaves you with cliff-hangers for most of them by the end of the volume.

This series (which is intended to be a trilogy) holds no punches. Bad things happen to main characters. There is death and worse than death, there is madness, there is rape, there is folly.

To say I eagerly anticipate the next book is an understatement.

Wild Magic (2003) is the second novel in the Fool's Gold series, following Sorcery Rising. In the previous volume, Katla Aransen has been rescued from the burning and fled back to her home. Tanto Vingo has been stabbed in the groin as he ravished Selen Issian and the wound will not heal. Enro Hamson has taken Selen away from the Allfair in his fairing. Saro Vingo is receiving all the blame for his family's misfortunes. Ravn Asharson, King of the North, is besotted with Rose Eldi and makes her his Queen.

The seither Festrin One Eye guides Katla in healing her own hand and then Katla heals Festrin after her brother Fent plunges a sword into her chest. Virelai takes Tycho Issian as his new master and Tycho has been made magically obsessed with Rose Eldi. A great force calling itself Sirio is awakening in the firelands of the South.

In this novel, Aran Aranson conceives a plan to build an icebreaker ship to reach Sanctuary. He sends his two sons on Tam Fox's ship to steal away Morton Danson, the king's shipmaker, but Halli and Katla tie up Fent and Katla goes aboard as her twin brother.

In Istria, Enro has rigged a shelter for Selen from the fairing, sail cloth, branches and driftwood and has entered a tavern to discover the news. He learns that Istria is preparing for war with the Eyrans. After finishing his weak beer, he intends to go to the market to buy food, for the Istrian woman with him eats unimaginable amounts at each meal. However, he tarries for a while upon hearing mention of Tanto's name.

Elsewhere in Istria, Siro has been tasked with caring for his disabled and incontinent brother. Tanto, however, is acting weaker than is really the case and has been sneaking around causing trouble for Siro. In addition, Tanto has learned that Siro can perceive feelings and memories and thus hates to touch, or be touched by, Tanto and certain others, so Tanto sets up situations where Siro has to touch him.

In Sanctuary, the Master has awoken and wonders where his servants have gone. He scans the world and sees evidence of new magic breaking out everywhere. He finds Virelai and Bete the cat, but cannot discover any trace of Rose Eldi.

Since this novel is the second of (at least) a trilogy, it does not provide any major answers, but it does start the convergence of various characters into the major plot. Of particular interest to me was the split between Siro and his family; about time he dumped his nogood relatives. Virelai starts to develop some interesting facets while, at the same time, he appears to be even less human; what exactly is he? Rose Eldi also appears to be developing some personality.

In many respects, this novel reads better than the first volume. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys sword and sorcery tales with strong heroines.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Sometimes I come across a writer who is good with words, but not the story. Sometimes the writer has a good story idea, or unique idea, but is lousy bringing it to life in words. This book, ( I am 480 pgs into a 586 page story) is like a sneeze that never coalesces, just hangs there and never quite happens. She is a fairly good writer, but I wonder where she is going with the many story lines, and if she will EVER get there with even one of them. I am seriously debating whether I will bother to read the third in the series. Katla is the center of the "story", but what she has to do with the many story lines is a puzzle. She remains an unfulfilled character, that is sidelined over and over. Her character, rather unique, remains two dimensional and disappointing. If this all culminates in the last book of the series then what did I have to read this one for? I have read sci-fi and fantasy for over 50 years, I know good, I know potential, and I know mediocre. So far I am disappointed. If something better comes along I will drop this in a blink.

Sorcery Rising, the first book in the series, was an impressive book and a good read, but Wild Magic is a hundred times better! I was amazed by the extent the author's skills developed between the two books, bringing her into line, as the reviewer, Racheal, said with two of the recent greats of fantasy writing, George R R Martin and Robin Hobb.

Like these two authors, Wild Magic is full of interesting and complex characters and sub-plots. A couple of characters border on stereotypes, though with enough individuality to make them memorable, but the vast majority are highly original characters who you really care what happens to them. My favourites are the empathic, pacifist Saro, the mixed-up but dangerous magician, Virelai, and the mysterious cat. There may possibly be a few too many characters, as the Publishers Weekly review claims, but it is not hard to determine which ones you should invest your mental energy in.

My favourite element of the book has to be the intrigue, mystery and suspense that is prevalent throughout the book. The author achieves a perfect balance of revelation and mystery. Even by the end of two books, the reader is still totally unsure of what the ultimate events in the series will be, but has been given enough clues that you are constantly thinking of all the possibilities, and are dying to find out the ending!

My only gripes would be that two of the cultures are a bit black-and-white - I get a bit tired of the Nomads being the source of all wisdom, and the Southeners being evil - and that the book is a bit slow on action in the early-middle stages.

But if you consider all the politics, humour, family infighting, a great writing style, and the lack of fantasy formula, I still definitely rate it 5 stars.

The book arrived promptly and was in excellent condition but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.