Amazon.co.uk Review
Ingeniously, in The Usurper's Crown, Sarah Zettel shows us the tragic past events which led up to the plot of her first fantasy novel A Sorcerer's Treason, leaving her heroine Bridget a child of two worlds and an orphan in both. On the shores of late nineteenth- century Lake Michigan, Bridget's mother Ingrid becomes the lover of the exiled magician Avanasy and in the magical realm of Istavalta the partner in his enterprises. The young empress Medeoan, not yet the pathetic dangerous villainess of the earlier book, is in danger from her treacherous husband, and Avanasy, her teacher in magic, has to save her from the consequences of her actions. Part of the dark strength of this second book is that we already know how badly things will work out, and come to understand how they might have been even worse. Zettel has a sense of the nightmare side of magic and the irresponsible games of magical beings; these books draw eclectically on the legends of Russia, China and India and cherry-pick some of the darkest themes of all three. The Usurper's Crown has a sense of the price of everything and the moments of joy and victory that redeem tragedy; it is one of the most adult fantasies of the year. --Roz Kaveney

Synopsis
A stunning new fantasy trilogy from US author Sarah Zettel, set partly on the shores of Lake Superior in the 19th century. When Ingrid Loftfield follows her sister out of the house in order to discover the reason for her nighttime excursions, she has no idea that this short walk to the beach will lead her to another world entirely. As the daughter of a fisherman on the shores of Lake Superior, her life has so far been unremarkable -- the most difficult problem she has faced is whether or not to marry the dependable but unexciting Everett Lederle. But when a stranger releases her sister, Grace, from an enchantment by a dead sailor, Ingrid is initiated into a world of magic and intrigue she never could have imagined. For the stranger, Avanasy, is a native of Isavalta, a world which can only be reached by crossing the land of Death and Spirit. He has been exiled by his ruler, and erstwhile student, the young Empress Medeoan. But Avanasy remains loyal to his Empress, and only he is aware of the grave threat she faces from within her own court. If she needs his assistance he will return to her side without a moment's hesitation -- and Ingrid will go with him.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews   10 of 12 people found the following review helpful: A waste of time, be reasonably written, 5 Dec 2002 By  M. E. Cooper "Fantasybooks" (England) - See all my reviews       I gave The Usurper's Crown only three stars because (I admit it) I was really annoyed with Zettel. The first book called A Sorcerer's Treason was really good and I was looking forward to reading the second instalment, but to my chagrin I find the second book (The Usurper's Crown) does NOT continue the story, it is a PREQUEL to the FIRST book! ARGHHHHH! I hate that! I didn't want to read about Bridget's mother, Zettel reveals all I need to know about Ingrid's adventures (including the ending) in A sorcerer's Treason. Don't buy this book, it's a complete waste of time unless you read it FIRST... but if you do read it first, you will find a lot of A sorcerer's Treason a waste of space. It's your choice, but I would read book one and then skip book two altogether.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: A great second book, 4 Jan 2003 By