The Lion Returns by John Dalmas

Curtis Macurdy returns to Yuulith after personal tragedy makes Farside unbearable. His alien nemesis turns up as an invader on Yuulith and once again Curtis is left to organize the resistance to oppression.

Dalmas wraps up the loose ends and finalizes the trilogy in this third and last novel of Curtis Macurdy. Some old friends from the first two novels play major roles in this book. Dalmas has imbued Curtis with an amazing resiliency to personal tragedy. I liked the inclusion of past characters and their contribution to the story line. Dalmas ties things to reality without a lot of hocus pocus. Dalmas doesn’t hesitate to kill off characters so you never no who is going to be the last man standing. Equally the ability for people to change and become better characterizes the players.

I liked the book, I like the series and I recommend it.

Body of work of John Dalmas

Review: Didn’t find one

Web site: http://www.sfwa.org/members/dalmas/

Guardian of the Balance by Irene Radford

I am new to Irene Radford. This is the firs book of hers I have read. I have read more Arthurian tales than I can recall and am always amazed at how the same story can be told in so many entertaining ways. One review said this book was upbeat. Hmm, my take was more gritty. Merlin’s daughter, Wren, spends the entire book agonizing over her own behavior and every other characters behavior. She, herself, suffers a variety of travails. The overall theme as noted in the title is to maintain balance. This means that the bad guys win almost as often as the good guys. Sadly that is more realistic than most novels. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

Body of work of Irene Radford

Review: http://www.owldaughter.org/articles/radford.html

Web Site: http://www.theflyingparty.com/radford/

The Sword by Deborah Chester

Deborah Chester is a new author for me. I am fond of fantasy and this first book in a trilogy was well worth reading. Chester has no problem killing off characters that you like. I was dismayed and some of the folks she easily dispatched. The story deals with a powerful but naïve new king who discovered loyalty is not assured in spite of his position. His travails and those of his progeny span countries and magic of the worst sort. The first book culiminates with his son coming of age. A very engaging book, I recommend it.

Body of work of Deborah Chester

Review: http://www.fantasyfreaks.org/reviews/alleandra/src.html

Web Site: http://www.deborahchester.com/about.html