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Cargando... Riddle of the Seven Realms (1988)por Lyndon Hardy
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The worst of the mess they were in, Kestrel knew, was that it was all his own fault. It all began when he had tried to cheat the lady wizard Phoebe with a load of worthless wood. When she insisted on testing his sample, the demon Astron had burst through the flame. No se han encontrado descripciones de biblioteca. |
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Google Books — Cargando... GénerosSistema Decimal Melvil (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999Clasificación de la Biblioteca del CongresoValoraciónPromedio:
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The story hinges around Astron's quest to resolve a conundrum which has been posed his master, the Prince who, in book 1, was outmatched by Alodar who subsequently became the archimage. (This third volume is set about 30 years after book 1.) A rival prince has set the Prince this puzzle and if he cannot resolve it, will destroy him. The Prince's situation becomes steadily grimmer throughout the story as Astron journeys from one realm to another, beginning with the realm where the series is usually set, to try to find the answer and obtain harebell pollen which another demon prince has demanded before giving them help. On the way he finds out more about humanity, experiences what it is to be human at one point, and gradually develops feelings for a fay ruler.
As with other books in the series, there are inventive contraptions, contrivances and in this case whole worlds, including one which has arcane board-game type rules. The biggest weakness in the story is the characterisation of the other characters, especially the women. In previous books the women have been almost cardboard cutout and the tendency continues here: there is an attempt to make Phoebe, whose role is love interest for Kestrel the con-man, more realistic by having her doubt her abilities - there is a lot of sexism in the wizards guild - but she does end up acting like a wimp most of the time, as does the female fay ruler who is the love interest for Astron.
Another issue is that I worked out pretty early on who was the real villain manipulating things behind the scenes. And some parts dragged rather, especially when they are almost literally sitting around for 10 or 15 days in the fay realm for no better reason, it seems, than to give Kestrel and Phoebe the chance to learn the fay language instead of Astron having to interpret for them. I would have enjoyed the book more if there had been more of the con-man tactics employed in reaching the archimage which happens too quickly after their initial misadventures: those were quite enjoyable. So on balance I would rate this 3 stars. ( )