The Sorcerer's Lady

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Paula Volsky Fans
Review: "The Sorcerer's Lady" takes us to the suspiciously Venetian world of Lanthi Ume, where decadance and intrigue are the daily fare. Ms. Volsky beautifully mingles her usual blend of high society, politics, terror and fantasy together in this first book of her only trilogy thus far. The interest of "The Sorcerer's Lady" is compounded by Ms. Volsky's decision to place the main characters in a marriage at the outset - rather than the standard romance which leads *to* that happy state. For those who loved the richness of Illusion, (and want one more reference to the elusive Strell) this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Paula Volsky Fans
Review: "The Sorcerer's Lady" takes us to the suspiciously Venetian world of Lanthi Ume, where decadance and intrigue are the daily fare. Ms. Volsky beautifully mingles her usual blend of high society, politics, terror and fantasy together in this first book of her only trilogy thus far. The interest of "The Sorcerer's Lady" is compounded by Ms. Volsky's decision to place the main characters in a marriage at the outset - rather than the standard romance which leads *to* that happy state. For those who loved the richness of Illusion, (and want one more reference to the elusive Strell) this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Paula Volsky Fans
Review: "The Sorcerer's Lady" takes us to the suspiciously Venetian world of Lanthi Ume, where decadance and intrigue are the daily fare. Ms. Volsky beautifully mingles her usual blend of high society, politics, terror and fantasy together in this first book of her only trilogy thus far. The interest of "The Sorcerer's Lady" is compounded by Ms. Volsky's decision to place the main characters in a marriage at the outset - rather than the standard romance which leads *to* that happy state. For those who loved the richness of Illusion, (and want one more reference to the elusive Strell) this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing after Illusion
Review: Expecting something with the richness of Illusion, I was decidedly disappointed when I finished The Sorcerer's Lady. The setting was intriguing, but somewhat sketchy. I didn't like any of the characters-- Verran, the protagonist, alternated between making very obviously bad choices, acting impetuously, or wheedling to her husband that she could be trusted and could stay with him. She demonstrated neither resourcefulness nor individuality, and in comparison to Illusion's Eliste, showed woefully little character growth. Nor was her husband much better-- little more than a stone statue who never seemed really human. Consequently, their romance was pitifully thin and unexciting.

On the other hand, there was a good deal of suspense and court intrigue which was enough to give me a reason to finish the book. Unless you're a die-hard Volsky fan, I wouldn't recommend this. Read Illusion or The Gates of Twilight before this one.

Ailanna

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing after Illusion
Review: Expecting something with the richness of Illusion, I was decidedly disappointed when I finished The Sorcerer's Lady. The setting was intriguing, but somewhat sketchy. I didn't like any of the characters-- Verran, the protagonist, alternated between making very obviously bad choices, acting impetuously, or wheedling to her husband that she could be trusted and could stay with him. She demonstrated neither resourcefulness nor individuality, and in comparison to Illusion's Eliste, showed woefully little character growth. Nor was her husband much better-- little more than a stone statue who never seemed really human. Consequently, their romance was pitifully thin and unexciting.

On the other hand, there was a good deal of suspense and court intrigue which was enough to give me a reason to finish the book. Unless you're a die-hard Volsky fan, I wouldn't recommend this. Read Illusion or The Gates of Twilight before this one.

Ailanna

Rating:
Summary: I read it but I don't understand it
Review: There is a good reason I didn't understand a word of this book, right? You need a degree in political sciences to understand the conspiracies and a degree in psycology to appreceite and understand the characters. Chances are that this book was written for people alot older then 13. If you like that stuff, read this. If not, prepare to be completely and utterly bewildered. This is part of a series, right?