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For the first time in a thousand years, the Kingdom of the Isles has a government and a real ruler: Prince Garric of Haft. The enemies joining against him intend to destroy not only the kingdom but humankind as well. The rebels gathering in the West outnumber the royal army and the magic they wield can strike into the heart of the palace itself, but far greater dangers lie behind those. On the far fringes of the Isles, ancient powers ready themselves for a titanic struggle in which human show more beings are mere pawns--or fodder Reptilian and insect monsters from out of the ages march on the kingdom, commanded by wizards no longer human or never human at all. If unchecked, their ravening slaughter will sweep over the Isles as destructively as a flood of lava. Garric, ripped from his time and body, must make new allies if he and his kingdom are to survive. His sister Sharina struggles with the chaos threatening the kingdom as swords and wizardry both gather to bring it down. Their friend Cashel, thrown into a place not of his world, faces each succeeding challenge with the calm certainty that he will overcome it or die, and that nothing yet has been able to kill him. And while her comrades strive in their own fashions, Ilna studies a pattern more complex than perhaps than even she and the skills she learned in Hell can master. If she fails, humanity will never escape the web being woven for it. Watching them all from the blackness of a tomb walled off in time and space, the Mistress waits...And her fangs drip poison show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is a very entertaining fantasy series, though you need to start with the first volume, Lord of the Isles, because it's pretty much all one story.
The first volume is the best, but this one is just as good as the others. In fact, it's almost identical to the others. Sadly, each new volume is nearly indistinguishable from the rest. The characters are widely separated in time and/or space, they have their individual adventures as they struggle to return, and then they're reunited for the ending. I keep hoping that the next volume will keep them together for the important - and interesting - work of building and maintaining the kingdom. Maybe next time.
The first volume is the best, but this one is just as good as the others. In fact, it's almost identical to the others. Sadly, each new volume is nearly indistinguishable from the rest. The characters are widely separated in time and/or space, they have their individual adventures as they struggle to return, and then they're reunited for the ending. I keep hoping that the next volume will keep them together for the important - and interesting - work of building and maintaining the kingdom. Maybe next time.
I wish I could remember what drove me crazy about these books and made me finally stop reading them. I know I ended up pretty much hating the main guy, but I can't remember why.
once again, magic envelopes me, filling every pore.
A very good series, and a reall page-turner.
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Author Information
269+ Works 34,928 Members
David Drake was born on September 24, 1945, in Dubuque, Iowa. He attended University of Iowa, where he graduated with a degree in History (with honors) and Latin. He then attended Duke Law School. He was drafted out of law school, served in the army for two years and then returned to school. He worked as an Assistant Town Attorney of Chapel Hill show more and then part-time as a city bus driver before he became a full-time writer. Drake is considered a master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. The Hammer's Slammers, military science fiction, was his first published series. His other titles include Northworld series, The Dragon Lord, Starliner, Ranks of Bronze, and Redliners. In recognition of his work, he won a World Fantasy award in 1976. He currently resides in North Carolina. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Mistress of the Catacombs
- Original publication date
- 2001
- People/Characters
- Garric or-Reise; Sharina os-Reise; Liane bos-Benliman; Ilna os-Kenset; Cashel or-Kenset; Tenoctris (show all 8); Chalcus; Merota
- Dedication
- To Randy Long, who's not only a friend for many years but who also acted as my son's coach when he started bodybuilding-- a task for which I would've been hopelessly inadequate.
- First words
- The spy, a stocky shipping agent named Hordred, looked at Garric and Liane with haunted eyes as he whispered what he knew of the planned secession of several western islands.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"It's a fine place for the King of the Isles to wed!"
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 537
- Popularity
- 55,468
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.16)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 4
