Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Master of All Desires
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Judith Merkle Riley
Class/Genre: Fantasy Historical Magic
Viking, Nov 1999, $26.95, 386 pp.
In 1556, King Henri grants his favors to his mistress Diane de Poitiers at the expense of his wife, Queen Catherine de Medici. The great prophet Nostradamus foresees his liege Queen Catherine plans to use the evil Undying Head of Menander the Magus to rid her of her rival to the King. Nostradamus worries about Catherine using the destructive Menander because the “MASTER OF ALL DESIRES grants the exact wish to his user, but the cost is death.
Nostradamus hurries to Paris to try to stop Catherine from releasing the malevolent essence. On the way, Nostradamus learns that a struggling poet, Sibille Artaud de la Roques possesses the head. Sibille plans to make a wish to obtain her deepest wants. Predicting France ill become prey to a deadly civil war, Nostradamus tries to save two women from their own doings.
Judith Merkle Riley always provides fans of historical fiction with a winning novel. Her latest tale, THE MASTER OF ALL DESIRES, will enhance her reputation for the best. The story line includes a who’s who from sixteenth century Europe, but it is the supernatural elements that add a intriguing twist to the plot. Ms. Riley makes the otherworldly powers seem genuine, making this intelligent and humorous book a must read for sub-genre fans or anyone who enjoys top entertainment in their literature.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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