Alissa didn't believe in magic till her mother kicked her out and sent her to the mythical Hold, where apparently her Keeper father was from. On her journey she meets Strell, a wandering minstrel who has just bought one of Alissa's father's maps from her mother. Together they make the journey to the hold where the man who killed her father waits, searching for the magic book only Alissa knows how to find.
I found this fantasy rather confusing - first with the maps, locations and peoples of the world, then with the heroines appearance and lastly and most importantly the magic. What is the purpose of the Masters & Keepers, and how does their magic work? Either it wasn't explained well or I just didn't get it. These things coupled with an ending that is abruptly a lead up for another book in the series (and the book isn't marked as being in a series), this was a bit of a let down. I don't think I'll bother trying to find the next.

It took me a long time to get into the book. But once the two main character begin traveling together it definately becomes more interesting. Then after a while, it slows down again until the book's ending. Overall it was a decent book and I enjoyed reading it, but sometimes it is slow and there should have been more action, and less dancing around it.

Of course, I still have the second book to read but my interpretation of the villian from the first book is one of the reasons for a low score. For one, he was stupid. I didn't understand the point in having an evil villian who wants to control the countries be stupid? He has no idea who the real keeper is, understandable...but his perceptions on EVERYTHING was always wrong. Then we get a lot of sympathy from his part, especially when he begins talking about his bad sight and wishing to see the beautiful landscape. I would think something like this would be reserved to a character who might turn his ways toward good...shouldn't we be hating this evil villian? Why do I not really care if he's defeated or not? My only hopes of his death is that it'll move the story along.

I pray the second book will be faster paced. However, with the ending novel's promise of the two characters remaining in the Hold is not promising.

It's a hard critique maybe, but if you're not really as much of a critic with fantasy novels gives this book a try. You'll probably leave satisfied. ( )

readable first book in a fantasy series. ( )