I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others, but it was still very very good. I couldn't put it down. I just love how Isobelle Carmody writes ( )

I loved this one as much as I loved the first book in the series. Definately looking forward to reading more. ( )

Since their takeover of Obernewtyn, the secret community of Misfits has flourished, protected by their remoteness. An expedition sets out to rescue a powerful Misfit ina distant part of the Land. 1991 CBC Book of the Year Award Honour Book (Older readers)

After a devastating war, and subsequent plagues and mutations, the ESP-gifted mutants, called Misfits, are hunted down and killed. Now, however, a group of young Misfits, mostly orphans, have found a haven in the remote fortress of Obernewtyn. Hiding from the powerful and ruthless Council, the Misfits use their talents to discourage visitors, and to pretend that the fortress is a mostly abandoned ruin. Elspeth, a strong farseeker, has become a guildmistress in the budding society of Obernewtyn. Her special relationship with the telepathic animals, and her sense of duty urge her to participate in a dangerous mission: a trip to the lowlands to rescue a very strong and probably doomed telepath, out of both humanitarian reasons, and to prevent accidental discovery of Obernewtyn.

I had some issues with this book. The narrator, Elspeth Gordie, is as unsympathetic as she was in the first book. At no point did I understand her or what makes her tick. We know what she does -- rescue people, mostly -- but we are almost never privy to her innermost thoughts. In fact, Elspeth is the least sympathetic "good" character in the entire novel (and there are quite a few - read "too many" - to keep track of).

Another irritating point is that Elspeth seems to manufacture mental talents whenever the plot calls for it. Does she need to pick a lock? Suppress pain? Farseek? Beastspeak? Coerce? Stun? Kill? No problem! Because she's the heroine. Don't ask questions.

In a similar vein, it seems like every second person is a Misfit - but not only a Misfit, a Misfit with mental powers! (Carmody manages to conveniently forget that, in the first book, most Misfits are physically mutated, not mentally mutated. Not only that, but also that Misfits are supposed to be quite unusual.

The most annoying part of the book? One word: Lidgebaby. (For those who have read the book, you know what I'm talking about. What a cop-out. For those who haven't, brace yourselves.)

Finally, the rising action is far, far too drawn out. By the end, any rational person will be screaming internally for the damn thing to just cut to the chase, already! How much more could the author have possibly put the narrator through?

All that having been said, Carmody must be given credit for the creation of a likeable cast of supporting characters. Elspeth's companions on the journey, the people she meets, the non-humans she meets - all are strongly imagined. The "guildmerge" is an interesting concept, and kudos for the groundwork for future alliances and interesting geographical/topographical information.

If Carmody continues to improve, then perhaps ASHLING (the third book in the series) will be a very good read. For now, though, the OBERNEWTYN CHRONICLES remain at merely satisfactory. ( )