Book Review: Beyond World's End

Reviewed By: Captain Fluffy

Beyond World's End     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Mercedes Lackey , Eluki Bes Shahar
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Bedlam's Bard # 3
Baen, Jan 2001, $24.00, 331 pp.

Beyond World's End by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill is a nice blend of two good authors. This continuation of the Bedlam Bard series is an exciting and delightful story. Eric Banyon once an untrained bard and particularly irresponsible, has matured during his time Underhill and completed his bardic training. Now he has unfinished business in the world above, the foremost of proving to himself that he is a good enough musician and has the discipline to finish his degree at Julliard in New York.

In the mean time researchers have discovered a way to unlock the psi potential in ordinary mortals. Seeing the possibility for power and wealth the president of Threshold Labs where the drug was created begins mass testing on the streets of New York. The Unseleighe Lord Aerune devises his own plan to use the drug to further his vengeful desires, leading the two forces towards either deadly conflict or dark conspiracy. Both of which could spell disaster for New York and Underhill, except that neither side take into account the Guardians of New York or Bard Eric.

I rate the book at four *fluffs*. I deducted 1/2 *fluff* for the 'male bash/sermon' that seems to be the trademark in so many ML books. I deducted the other 1/2 *fluff* for character inconsistencies. This is a fun and fast paced story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Captain Fluffy

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Captain Fluffy