Booklist Reviews
/*Starred Review*/ Zanja is an emissary for her people, a peaceful mountain tribe of artisans in the land of Shaftal. While traveling with her mentor, the two witness the destruction of the ruling House of Lilterwess by the warring Sainnites, who have plagued all Shaftal for 15 years. Worse yet, the G'deon, the Earth witch who governed Shaftal, has died without an heir for the first time in history, leaving the Shaftali vulnerable to attack. A small army of resistance is being swiftly run down as the Sainnites make steady progress in their attempts to gain control of Shaftal. The country's fate now lies in the hands of just three persons: Emil the Paladin, Zanja the homeless diplomat, and Karis, a half-blood giant with a dark past and a paralyzing addiction. Marks is an absolute master of fantasy in this book. Her characters are beautifully drawn, showing tremendous emotional depth and strength as they endure the unendurable and strive always to do the right thing, and her unusual use of the elemental forces central to her characters' lives gives the book a big boost. This is read-it-straight-through adventure! ((Reviewed June 1 & 15, 2002)) Copyright 2002 Booklist Reviews
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