"delightful Camelot tale"
In 510 Avalon in the mageverse, Gawain of the Round Table
sees six hellhounds have trapped a dragon. He intercedes
and saves the dragon's life, who uses a spell so they can
communicate. Kel and Gawain become friends. One year
later, Kel finds he likes being in human form where he
seduces the magae, but his hanging with Gawain and company
upsets the other dragons. Kel's Uncle Dragon Lord Tegid
fearing him casts a spell that reduces his nephew to a
silver sword with his only escape being the death of his
best friend Gawain. In the present, after an attack left four tyro defenders
dead, King Arthur announces a new pairing. A relative
newcomer will be paired with a veteran. Gawain becomes
Lark's mentor. At his home, Gawain and Lark make love and
he takes a bite as vampires do when they are with magae.
Afterward Morgana assigns Gawain and Lark to investigate a
murder. They find strong magic, but finally with Kel's
help they arrive to find the sorcerer dead. They track
that kill to a more powerful sorcerer Richard Edge, son of
Avalon parents; but he was rejected by the community as
unworthy. Now Richard has a powerful ally and owns the
last of the three Black Grails. Though this delightful Camelot tale can stand alone, the
tale has threads left from previous Mageverse novels like
MASTER OF WOLVES and the novella "Galahad" from BITE. The
strong support cast especially Kel and the Camelot crowd
adds depth to the mageverse and enhances either by combat
or friendship the terrific relationship between the lead
couple that changes over time. A fabulous final twist
involving the hero and his father add to a terrific
romantic fantasy that spins the Arthurian legend into a
different unique direction. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 26, 2006
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 22, 2007
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