Prize in the Game
By Jo Walton  

      In the kingdom on the island of TirTanagiri, four fiends, Conol, Emer, Darag and Ferdia, compete with each other. In one competition a warhorse is killed by accident, incurring the wrath of the Horse Goddess, who curses the kingdom.

     Emer falls in love with Conol and they wish to escape from their families, but Conol is one of the future contenders for the High King of the island, and cannot shirk his responsibility. And Princess Emer, too, must decide between her duty to her homeland and her love for Conol. There is conflict and rivalry between the countries that may lead to war.

     The plot is well crafted, cleverly blending the diverse characters. The personalities of the characters are developed in depth, probing their loyalties, their sense of honor, trust and love. The author has successfully evoked the atmosphere of the Celtic culture with its sights and sounds. It is a compelling story, beautifully written.