Monday, May 2, 2011

Shadowborn- Alison Sinclair

Shadowborn
Alison Sinclair
Roc, Jun 7 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780451463944

In Minhorne, the Curse insures the Darkborn shun the light and the Lightborn shun the dark so they never mix; at least that was the belief until the twins were born (see Darkborn). Thus Darkborn married mages Lady Telmaine Hearne and Dr. Balthasar end up with the twins, which leads to learning of a third group the Shadowborn manipulating the hostilities between the light and the dark (see Lightborn).

Another “truism” the Darkborn accepts as gospel is that when a mage dies, his or her magic dies too. Thus Darkborn Lady Telmaine Hearne has been sentenced to death for her dabbling with sorcery. She flees for the Borders where war is imminent, but the alliance between the Lightborn and Darkborn is shaky at best as they prepare to fight the Shadowborn. Balthasar mentally struggles with the knowledge of his connection to the insidious diabolical enemy. Lightborn assassin Floria White Hand is at the Borders trying to protect her people’s young Prince. At the same time Ishmael di Studier, who has spent a lifetime restraining the Curse, which includes battling the Shadowborn, is unprepared foe what awaits at the Borders.

The third “born” fantasy wraps up the major threads as all the key players converge at the Borders where war is imminent. Extremely complicated yet fast-paced, readers will relish the paths to the final battle as heroes from the previous tales struggle to survive and a terrific spin re the Curse makes for a delightful finish. Although newcomers should read the first two books that set the table for this scrumptious repast, fans will enjoy the latest entry in the Sinclair mythos.

Harriet Klausner

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