Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Knight, The Harp, and The Maiden
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Anne Kelleher Bush
Class/Genre: Fantasy
Warner, Jul 1999, $6.00, 336 pp.
Seven city states comprise the Syrian League, an association that has Thurges (sorcerers) and Thanes(the nobility) co-ruling, but vying for power. After a period of chaos, the balance between the magical forces has maintained a peaceful balance, but that abruptly ends. In the powerful city-state of Sylyria, Juilene, daughter of the Thane of Sarrasim, wants to become a songsayer at the festival. When the evil Thurge Lindos, a practitioner of the forbidden magic, abets an attack on her fiancé’s sister, Juilene poses as a songsayer to bring the local aristocracy inside the castle.
Their plan to kill Lindos fails and the evil magician holds Juilene prisoner. When she rejects his marriage proposal, he curses her by forbidding her to accept kindness or charity lest she causes them harm. Juilene flees her home, aimlessly wandering as a songsayer, praying that someone will appear who loves and cherishes her for herself. That and that alone is the only means to break the curse. However, the prophecy states that “only the knight who has never been born” can halt the curse that is about to befall the Syrian League, a legend that will affect Juilene as well.
THE KNIGHT, THE HARP AND THE MAIDEN is an enthralling fantasy novel that genre readers will tremendously enjoy. The metamorphosis of the heroine from a young spoiled girl into a strong woman is marvelous, believable, and the underpinning of the stupendous story line. Anne Kelleher Bush creates a world that fans will want to know learn more about as they will clamor for a continuing series.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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