Firethorn - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0756957214 ISBN 13: 9780756957216

Synopsis

A fantasy in the tradition of The Mists of Avalon, Firethorn is an extraordinary tale--at once magical and violent, beautiful and frightening--about a bold young woman and her journey to the brink of war.

About this title

Review:

Bloody, insightful, emotionally wrenching and beautifully written, Firethorn is the impressive first volume of an epic fantasy trilogy. It's also an astonishingly assured debut novel that foretells Sarah Micklem's place among authors such as Marion Zimmer Bradley, Jacqueline Carey, Terry Goodkind, and Rosemary Sutcliff at the top rank of high fantasists.

A mysterious foundling with unique red hair and strange god-given powers, Firethorn is condemned to life as a powerless servant--or so she believes, until one of King Thyrse's noblemen becomes her lover. But, as she accompanies Sire Galan to war, Firethorn discovers she may have traded one form of bondage for another. A soldier's mistress--even a high-born soldier's mistress--is despised as a "sheath," or camp follower. Also, Firethorn's nasty ex-overlord, Sire Pava, has joined the king's army, and she has made a new enemy in her lover's cousin and closest friend, the sadistic Sire Rodela. However, she and Galan share a fiery love that will surely overcome the opposition of both their personal enemies and their kingdom's enemies. Then Sire Galan makes a strange, heart-shattering wager that may not only ruin his honor, but get them both killed. --Cynthia Ward, Amazon.com

Review:

Robin McKinley author of "Sunshine" This is a stark and splendid novel. But the most astonishing thing about it is the suppleness of the style -- almost no one writes a first novel this graceful. I look forward to whatever she does next.

About this edition

• ISBN 10: 0756957214
• ISBN 13: 9780756957216
• Binding: Paperback