Call of Madness

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing brain-candy with a twist.
Review: I have kept this book for many years, and every time I read it, I still get drawn in inspite of its simplistic approach. I understand that there are 4 books in the series. Anyone know the title of the 4th book? I look forward to being drawn in time, after time, after time, after...

Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: I think this book had a great plot. In the kingdom of Caithe, magic is thought to be an evil gift from the devil. Unfortunately, the king's daughter has it! The king also has it. His however is artificial and therefore tolerated. When the princess' magic is discovered and it backfires she is to be killed. So she runs to a nearby kingdom that embraces magic. Some unexpected turns are taken and this book leaves you hanging. It was only through sheer luck that i found the sequel Mission of Magic.

Rating:
Summary: simple but fun
Review: If you can find them this is actually a series of four books and the only ones that I know of by Julie Dean Smith. The plot is engaging and entertaining, although it tends to follow stereotypes...and there aren't a lot of surprises. But otherwise it is a good brain-candy type book.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting controversy.
Review: In Caithe, magic is considered to be a gift from the devil, that should be rejected by giving away your life, when the first signs of 'magic madness' start showing. However, the same magic gift is considered a blessing, when used by Caithe's king. Things get even more problematic, when Athaya, the king's daughter starts also showing the signs of the magic.

The book in my opinion is quite interesting, keeping your interest going to the last line. It is the first book of four, with "Mission of Magic", "Sage of Sare" and "The Wizard King" being the three sequels.

The 4 books being out of print, only used book stores might carry old copies, since, so far I haven't heard of any planned reprints.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting controversy.
Review: This book was well done and the story was intruiging, but I couldn't help but be constantly reminded of Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series. I would like to read more of this world, but I do believe this book has no sequel.