"Charming fantasy"
The Macedonian Empire wanes after Alexander dies until
Penelope, the founder of the Sisterhood of the Weavers,
learned how to bend to her will the aeriika (djinn). The
empire took back what it had lost. Most countries
accepted that the Greeks were their overlords but the
Danibeki fought for their freedom. As a result, the
rivers Janarles and Oxus were dried up by the aeriika
leaving the population to value water more than gold or
jewels because it is much rarer in the occupied land. Lauria, a free woman in service to military commander
Kyros, is asked to infiltrate the Alashi, a warrior group
made up of runaway slaves and free men and women unable to
live under Greek rule. As part of the plan, she is to
remain in Sophos' harem and after two weeks escape to find
the Alashi. Before she is set free, Sophos rapes her and
another harem slave takes care of her and accompanies her
when she leaves because she hates her mater. They find
the camp but the more time Lauria stays there, the less
she wants to go back because she sees the truth about the
Greeks like Kyros who has not punished Sophos for his
attack on her. The magical culture of the Greek Empire revolves around
the djinn, how to bind and use them to further their own
political and military goals. It is only when the heroine
is among the Alashi does she realize that the bound djinn
are as much slaves of their masters as those humans in
bondage to their owner. FREEDOM'S GATE is a magical
fantasy set in a powerful Greek Empire where magic and
sorcery are everyday events accepted by the populace.
Naomi Kritzer has written a charming fantasy that will
leave readers eager to read for the next installment in
what looks like a great series. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 31, 2004
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