THE ISLE OF BATTLE
Book Two of the Swan's War
By Sean Russell
Eos (Harper Collins) - August 2002
ISBN: 0-390-97490-8 - Hardcover
Fantasy / Explicit Violence

Reviewed by Jo Rogers, MyShelf.Com
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The Isle of Battle continues the story begun in The One Kingdom. By this time, Tam, Fynnol, Baore and Cynddl have been joined by a man named Pwyll, a fellow traveler with Alaan. They have found that Alaan is still alive, and they have learned there is a war brewing. The reader also learns that the assassins have failed in their attempt to kill their cousin Toren Renné. Beldor, blinded by his hatred and jealousy of Toren, has murdered his cousin Arden without making sure it was Toren in his sights. Now, he and Samul are on the run, with Toren and Dease following, though Dease is still suffering from the clout on the head he got from Beldor.

Our cousins also have learned that they have traveled down parts of the river that few have ever seen. Many strange things have happened, but they are almost nothing compared to what is to come. Lady Elise Wills had thrown herself in the river to stop the alliance with the Prince of Innes, but Baore has rescued her. But Elise made a bargain with a river spirit called a nagar, and she is not herself. In fact, the counselor to the Prince of Innes, Sir Eremon, is not who he claims to be, nor is he totally Hafydd, a knight who has been dead for twenty years. Nor is Alaan who he seems to be.

These three lead the cousins, Cynddl and Pwyll on a strange and terrifying journey into lands few have trodden. Can they all survive? And can they stop a war when first blood has already been drawn?

The Isle of Battle, along with its predecessor, The One Kingdom, are books the reader must experience to truly appreciate. No mere description can do them justice. I anxiously await the next book in this strange tale.