YA-- Hynkkel, a young nobleman in conflict with his father and brother, embarks with a desert sandcat upon a quest that leads to the emperor's throne. Mix together liberal amounts of magic, myth, and adventure; fold in an exotic planet and fascinating characters; add a pinch of "coming-of-age" tale and some bonding with alien creatures; and blend thoroughly to provide readers with a well-written fantasy. This is science fiction at its best. --John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
An amulet bearing the image of a sandcat becomes the focus of a young man's quest for his manhood and heritage in the latest fantasy by one of the genre's undisputed greats. Drawing its background from the world created by Karen Kuykendall in her "Tarot of the Cat People," the story of Hynkkel's journey through the Outer Region to the sacred Diamond Queendom is filled with familiar themes. Norton's distinctive style, however, transcends the limitations of the "rite-of-passage" fantasy as characters and cultures come to life under her expert guidance. A young protagonist makes this a suitable novel for both YA and adult fantasy collections.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.