Book Review: Enchanter

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Enchanter     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sara Douglass
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Axis Trilogy / Wayfarer Redemption (books 1-3) # 2
Tor, Nov 2001, $27.95, 544 pp.

When puissant Icariian enchanter Axis Sunsoar meets Faraday, wife of his half-brother Borneheld, he falls in love with her. He vows that she will become his wife one day soon. Faraday, a follower of the Mother Goddess, expects her beloved Axis to save her from her current abusive husband.

However, raging jealousy for stealing the affection of his spouse, begrudging his sibling's recent success, and envying his half-brother's new relationship with their father leads Borneheld to seek Axis' death. Adding to the relationship mess is that for no apparent reason, Icariian desires the mysterious Azhure. With traitors inside his inner circle ready to destroy him, Axis must find a means to neutralize Borneheld and stop another half-brother if he is to fulfill the prophecy of ruling his fellow bird like people and the forest dwellers.

The second novel in Sarah Douglass' Wayfarer Redemption series, ENCHANTER, is a deep relationship fantasy that is filled with action and adventure, but succeeds because the various populations that make up this globe seem real. Though the tale starts slow, especially for those who read book one, as Ms. Douglass patiently reintroduces the cast, once the story line gets into motion, it races faster than the speed of light. Subplot threads remain dangling for more sequels but fans will concur to this enchanting novel deserved to win the Australian Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner