"fine fantasy"

Half human-half satyricorn, Rhiannon killed one of Righ Lachlan's favorite Yeoman Guards Connor the Just in order to save her satyricorn mother. She is now in the Sorrowgate Tower prison awaiting trial for murder along with the Laird O Fettercain who Rhiannon helped capture. His crimes include murder and necromancy as he tried to raise his dead brother. The Laird's servant seatie Deidre is placed in the household of Joanna the Mild, Connor's sister and the head of the College of Healers.

Rhiannon's lover Lewen, an apprentice-witch and squire to Lachlan, promises her he will be there for her but Olwynne NiaCuinn bewitches him will a love potion leaving Rhiannon desolate. At her trial, she is found guilty but Lachlan is going to pardon her but before he can do that well placed conspirators act to free the imprisoned laird, unseat Lachlan and spirit away his heir. Rhiannon is the only one who can help undo some of the damage the conspirators caused and she is willing to do it if it means freeing Lewen from Olwynne's spell.

Book Two of Rhiannon's Ride is a fine fantasy that magically charms the audience. Fans of the Shannara series and the works of Raymond E Feist will love THE SHINING CITY, a work where species of myth and legend live side by side with humans. In fact there is so much inter- species mating that it is hard to tell who is a pureblood anymore. This is a character driven work but there is just enough action to please all fantasy lovers.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 28, 2006

Summary

Imprisoned in Sorrowgate Tower, Rhiannon awaits her trial for murder and treason, while the winged horse Blackthorn flies forlornly over the Shining City. Alone and in terrible fear for the future, Rhiannon is haunted by the malevolent ghost of a dead queen who has a hunger to live again.

Meanwhile, Lewen must resume his studies at the Tower of Two Moons with the other apprentice-witches, among them the banprionnsa Olwynne NicCuinn, who desires more than friendship from Lewen. Drawn back into the intrigues of the court, Lewen finds his loyalty to Rhiannon tested to the utmost limit.

Preoccupied with the upcoming wedding of the royal cousins, Donncan and Bronwen, Isabeau the Keybearer fails to investigate Rhiannon's tale of necromancy and ghosts, to her cost. By the time she realizes that dark spirits have indeed been disturbed, it is too late, and the royal family is brought face to face with She Who Cuts The Thread.