Enchanter (Axis Trilogy) (Paperback)

A bit more characterisation of the Sentinels would not go amiss, and Douglass falls into the classic trilogy trap of rushing the end as she realises the book is getting too long.

That said this is a fantastic book, in a fantastic series. Think Tolkein, Feist, McCaffrey, Eddings - the Tolkein fans will call me insane, but I think she is up there with them all.

As with the first, I continue to find Douglass' use of Greek, and to a lesser extent, Nordic mythic elements rather unimaginative and obvious. While the Skaelings from Norse mythology, despite their readily apparent borrowing, work, in large part due to the author's descriptive expansion and development of the creatures, the use of other mythic beasts such as Gryphons falls flat, and marrs much of the originality found elsewhere in the saga. Further, the author at times falls prey to a tendency in naming her characters which telescopes their later character and role development within the plot, thus diminishing the tension associated with their character or contribution later in the story. However, despite these flaws, the tight and generally complex plotting continues to pull the reader along, and there is ample presence of originality and imagination evident that in large part outweighs the more ham-fisted instances of derivative borrowing.

In response to an earlier reader, I cannot imagine why they found themselves put off by this book. Stronger than the first, it should have instead drawn them further into the tale. The comparison to Goodkind seems in part unfair, as I would assert that, except perhaps for the former's first book, Douglass is proving to be the better author, though to date lacking the depth and cohesion of the best in high fantasy, such as Hobb, Martin, Jordan, or Erikson. However, this is a very engaging tale, by now superior, in my opinion, to works by Goodkind, Feist, Brooks, or Jones, and a very strong first work, offering much promise for the future. I should note, however, that despite references to "standard gore" in the same mentioned previous review, the violence present here is at times descriptively explicit, and justice rather Old Testement, and while I did not find this particularly detracting, based upon comments by some readers on other author's works---i.e. George R.R. Martin---the more squeamish fantasy reader may find certain episodes in this book more than they can stomach. Further, the romantics among you may not be entirely pleased by the behavior of all characters. Nonetheless, for those of you searching for better than run-of-the-mill high fantasy, well told and plotted, this is a series I would certainly recommend.

After the terrible battle of Gorkenfort, Axis is spending some time with his new family, among the Icarii. While learning the songs that are the core of his Enchanter powers, he is also training the Icarii Strike Force, among which the beautiful Azhure, for the oncoming confrontation with his hated brother Borneheld and Gorgrael's Skrealings.

In the meantime, Faraday, now wed to Borneheld, patiently awaits the return of the man she loves, managing from time to time to escape the bitter reality with her magical powers and to link with the Mother.

This middle volume is definitely focused on Axis marching across Achar, determined to reunite the three races, Acharites, Icarii and Avar, and to recreate the legendary kingdom of Tencendor; of Faraday and the Avar, little is said. However, everything slowly clicks into place, and it soon becomes clear that each character has a role to play, that all must fulfill their part of the Prophecy in order to save the world from a Gorgrael who is becoming more powerful with every passing day.

Even though the pace slows down at times, Enchanter is a suspenseful novel with some great battle scenes and above all, believable characters. The outcome of certain intrigues might sometimes seem too easy, or to have come out of nowhere, but as a whole it is a very enjoyable story. The end was most surprising and I'm looking forward to discover what happens next.