Master of the grove

This is another story from my youth. It has numerous twists and turns and plenty of surprises throughout. While it's not a typical 'boy on a quest' fantasy, it is a rather grim tale. This is one of the reasons I have dropped it from four to three stars.

From the back cover - When his home is destroyed after an attack, Derin sets out to look for his missing father, captured by soldiers of the Citadel. But he is handicapped by his lameness and forced to use a crutch; his only companion on his quest are an old woman, Marna, and a raven which mysteriously attaches itself to him.

Derin's people, upland farmers are caught up in a war between the people of the mountains; governed by the Sacred Circle of the Grove, and those of the plains, ruled show more by the Council of the Citadel. There should have been peace between them according to the formula devised by Wenborn the Wise. But Krob has seized power by murdering one of the ten members of the Circle, and with the aid of the magical staff of the Grove proceeds to unleash a terrible vengeance against the plains people.

The pace of this gripping fantasy never lets up until the final moments when Derrin finds himself face to face with Krob, 'Master of the Grove', together with the mystery of his own identity. Victor Kelleher is the author of "Forbidden Paths of Thual" and also of "The Hunting of Shadroth", described by Naomi Lewis in the Observer as 'a work of real quality'. show less

Victor Kelleher's masterful portrayal of the conflict caused by the greed for power. Derin's journey to find his father, the twists and turns in his quest, little realising that he was being manipulated by the "good" side to help destroy the evil that has taken over his world. Extremely well written, and engaging from the get-go - as are all his works.