Category: Fantasy
Series: Elemental Masters
Book source: purchased
In The Gates of Sleep, Mercedes Lackey takes on the story of Sleeping Beauty. Set in Edwardian England like The Serpent's Shadow, but in more rural locales, the novel follows Marina, only daughter of Earth Masters Hugh and Alanna Roeswood. When Hugh's estranged, non-magical sister Arachne inexplicably curses the infant Marina, the distraught parents hide the child with their childhood friends and fellow mages, who raise her as their niece -- and train her budding talent as a Water Master. As Marina nears her 18th birthday and, it is hoped, freedom from the curse, disaster strikes. Hugh and Alanna die apparently intestate, and Marina is forced -- literally -- to return to the home of her birth under the guardianship of the one woman who most wishes her ill: her aunt Arachne.
Lackey follows the traditional fairy tale much more closely than she did in The Serpent's Shadow, while maintaining the same high standard of characterization and story-telling. Fantasy lovers and fairytale aficionados alike will enjoy this book.
Sounds like an interesting book! Maybe I'll check it out after I finish the 500 Kingdoms series.
ReplyDelete