Queen of Demons

by David Drake

Published by Tor
UK 5.50
662 Pages
ISBN 0-812-56493-6 US

www.SFBookcase.com

This a fantasy novel, the second in the "Lord of the Isle" series. This is a sequel to the novel "The Lord of the Isles". The Isles of the title are a group if twenty odd large islands. Each island is ruled by noble families and all the islands overall by a King. The kingship is held by the strongest of the nobles and seems to frequently change hands as ambitious Duke rebel against their King.

The main characters in the story a two sets of brother and sister. Garric and Sharina are descendants of nobles that come to the attention of the powers that run the Isles. Cashel and Ilna are descendants of commoners and otherworldly beings. All four grow up as friends in a small village, but are forced to leave when the world outside takes an interest in them. They are growing up at a time when a thousand-year peak in magical forces is occurring.

The action follows on directly from the first novel. The Queen of the title is the Queen of the Isles, who rules using her evil sorcery. The friends must depose the Queen and face another powerful evil being which wants to rule the Isles.

I liked the characterisation of this book, with the young characters quite simple at first but quickly growing in power and knowledge as they travel through the Isles. The characters quickly split up, and the plot follows each separately until they all come together at the end. I am greatly looking forward to the next novel in the series.

Overall this book is a great sequel. Another 9 out of 10.

P.F. 1st September 1999

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