I first started playing Magic a few months back, and I didn't even know at the time that there were books to go along with the game. I found this out on the last day of school, when a friend of mine showed me a few books of his...the Cursed Land being one of them. I was immediatly pulled by it and borrowed it. And loved it. It's been a long time since I've read such a wonderful book. The charater of Aylith is believable, she is not just your ordinary, run of the mill type heroine. She's beyond that. Her desires were that of an ordiary 20 year old, and she doesn't fall into the pattern of a mage immediatly, like so many have their magic workers do. Nazir was a remarkable villian, if you can call him that. In short, a wonderful, must read for any serious fantasty lover, even those that don't read or play Magic. I truely hope that you'll give this book a chance. It's too good to pass up. Ja ne Dremdancer