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Summary
Summary
"Twin boys were born to the dragon-king of Ippa, though only one was born of dragon-blood. He was named Karadur Atani - Fire-bringer. But Karadur Atani would never become a dragon. In a bitter betrayal, his twin brother stole his talisman and disappeared, leaving Karadur trapped - a king with the heart of a dragon, trapped in the body of an ordinary man." "Now, rumors of an evil sorcery have reached Dragon Keep. A powerful wizard has risen out of legend. From his stronghold in the great ice, he rains death and destruction upon the people of Ippa. Once he was called Ankoku, the Hollow One. But Karadur Atani knows him as brother."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Utterly engrossing, Lynn's first novel in 13 years demonstrates the command of her genre that has earned her two World Fantasy Awards. Of the twin sons, Karadur and Tenjiro, born to the shapechanging Dragon King Kojiro Atani of Ippa, only one inherits the dragon nature. Tenjiro, bitterly envious of his brother's supernatural abilities, masters an evil lore long thought vanquished. He perverts the affection of Karadur's lover, the musician Azil, and steals the magic talisman that enables Karadur to take dragon form. Standouts among the sensitively drawn supporting figures who accompany Karadur on his avenging path are three shapechangers: Hawk, who's a woman warrior and bow-maker; Wolf, her martyred comrade; and Bear, as formidable an ally as he is ferocious a foe. Lynn's painstaking creations of Ippan life from castle to cottage and her deft, profoundly convincing characterizations match her skill at conveying the intricacies of hand-to-hand combat in a world where what matters most is a man or woman's bravery in leaving it. Like Lynn's Chronicles of Tornor (Watchtower, etc.), this is a fantasy that readers will cherishand there's a promised sequel to look forward to, as well. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Lynn's first novel after a 13-year sabbatical from fiction writing is admirable, if not quite as magisterial as such previous efforts as The Northern Girl (1980). In a land where magic works and changelings are not uncommon, twin boys are born to a dragon king, but only one of them has the dragon blood. His brother steals the talisman that would allow Karadur Atani to turn dragon, then becomes enslaved to the spirit of a long dead and utterly evil sorcerer. That forces Karadur to march on his brother's stronghold, besiege it, and slay the brother and his sorcerous minions. The plot summary makes the novel sound more conventional than it is, and the end is something of an anticlimax. But Lynn has created a strong cast in the changelings Wolf (and his wife, Thea), Bear, and Hawk, as well as secondary human characters. She has built the world of the book from a hundred well-chosen if frequently subtle details, she maintains pace excellently, and her command of English has not diminished. (Reviewed April 1, 1998)0441005020Roland Green