Wizardborn

April 15, 2001
To atone for his misuse of the Earth's powers, Gaborn the Earth King sets out on a quest to find the Place of Bones. As giant creatures known as reavers continue to threaten the land, a young girl comes into her powers as one of the "wizardborn," holding in her memories the secrets of the reavers. The author's imaginative approach to magic, coupled with a richly detailed fantasy world and a cast of memorable heroes and villains, adds depth and variety to this epic tale of war and valor. Recommended, along with previous series titles (The Runelords, Brotherhood of the Wolf) for most fantasy collections.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2001
Farland's massive and compelling saga, which began with " The Runelords" (1998), continues at breakneck pace. The earth king Gaborn, who lost most of his powers in " Brotherhood of the Wolf" (1999), faces the monstrous Reavers, who are laying waste to the land. The great warlord Raj Ahten, however, now poses a lesser threat, since his intended war of conquest is now thwarted not only by Gaborn but also by the Reavers. Averan, a young wizardborn girl, has gained much knowledge of the Reavers by eating the brain of a dead one, and she plays a major role as Gaborn seeks a way to the Place of Bones to kill the Reavers' One True Master. Meanwhile, mad King Anders, possessed by an evil power, is making his own baleful plans. As in the earlier books, the danger and violence are larger than life, and many die. But any grimness is leavened by the strong theme of love and respect for the earth and its denizens.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)