The Weavers of Saramyr
The Braided Path, No. 1
By Chris Wooding

      In the lush oriental land of Saramyr the noble houses vie with each other, ruled over by the Empress Anais. But she has a big surprise for everybody when it is discovered that her only child is an Aberrant, a wielder of the wild magic that creates freaks and monstrosities. The only legal magic in the realm is in the hands of the mysterious Weavers, a sect of men devoted to a type of magic that is used to send messages across vast distances. People don't like them and their evil ways, but they seem a necessity to any noble house that wishes to be concurrent with events. Meanwhile, young Kaiku's entire family has been slaughtered and she must flee from the danger; but she is to discover secrets about not only herself, but Saramyr and its Weavers as well…

       It is always enjoyable to read a fantasy that departs from the Tolkeinesque standard and oriental settings are a personal favorite of mine. This one is set in a fairly well-realized land and has a plot that keeps the pages turning. The Dune-style noble houses vying against each other makes for an absorbing read, as does the magic of the weavers' masks and the slow but sure uncovering of more and more secrets. This looks as if it is going to shape up into an entertaining trilogy and seems to be just about the right length - always a plus in any book but especially a fantasy