A SORCERER'S TREASON
Book I of The Isavalta Trilogy
By Sarah Zettel
Voyager (Harper Collins) - April 2002
ISBN: 0007113994 - TPB
Fantasy - Wisconsin, 1899

Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
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Bridget Lederle is a lighthouse keeper on the shores of Lake Superior and, due to her having had an illegitimate child, an outcast from polite society. When a man in a strangely-painted boat is shipwrecked, it at first seems like business as usual, and even when he starts telling her that he is the Lord Sorcerer Valin Kalami she just thinks he is delirious. But when he proves to her that he does indeed come from another world and that she is awaited to claim her position as a powerful sorceress who will save the empire from the Empress's evil daughter-in-law she takes up his offer and goes forth into another world. Isavalta is a fantasy version of Old Russia complete with Baba Yaga in the woods and fox spirits, but all is not what it seems, and soon Bridget is wondering who are the heroes and who the villains.

This novel contains a well-realized world with all the attraction of being based on Russian folklore rather than more established fantasy lines. It could certainly use a bit more action though and a bit more sword and action in lieu of the rather wordy plotting would help things on enormously. Valin Kalami, the mysterious princess and her mage and the Empress all come to life - Valin especially a convincing and well-rounded character - but Bridget remain little more than a cipher who failed to arouse my interest or sympathy as she goes through the motions. If the action were to speed up and Bridget to wake up, then this would be an entertaining and enthralling series.

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