ILL MADE MUTE by Cecelia Dart

ILL MADE MUTE by Cecelia Dart - Thornton
Warner Books - May 2001
ISBN0446528323 - Hardcover

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, MyShelf.com
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Nameless, voiceless, and terribly scarred, a mute human creature whose mind is blank is taken in by a message way station in the world of Erith. It spends years hidden under a hood doing the most menial of tasks, often the target of abuse and the scapegoat, as it cannot defend itself without a voice.

When the opportunity to escape by stowing away on a magical windship comes, the creature does so. However, the ship is overtaken by pirates, one of whom is a madman who rescues the creature and names it, Imrhen. He tells it that it is actually a young woman and teaches her sign language. Together, they find a great treasure, and when they reach his family's home, learn of a witch who may be able to restore Imrhen's mind, voice, and face. Thus, she sets off on a quest to do just that, along the way facing opposition from evil wights and finding help and possible love with a ranger named Thorn.

Though many details were missing, this is a promising beginning to an epic saga. Presumably, the mysteries that were left unclear throughout will be resolved in later volumes.