Tomes of Spellcasting--The Walls of Air

Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: The Walls of Air
Author: Barbara Hambly
Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1983

Gil, Rudy, and Ingold have survived the coming of the Dark Ones long enough to at least achieve the presumed safety of the Keep of Dare, where thousands of years ago humanity once survived a previous uprising of the wraithlike Dark. Now, however, they must find a solution to the problem of the Dark, because if they don't they will die of starvation and internal strife. Their one best hope seems to be settlement of wizards at Quo: with any luck the amassed knowledge and power of the mages will produce a solution to the Dark Ones. However, they must first get there, and that means braving the descending winter, the Dark, and the White Raiders, who have come farther south than ever before recorded. And even reaching the city of Quo doesn't guarantee success. They must first circumvent all the defenses erected there by the wizards, and that's no easy thing by itself. But even surpassing those, will they find what they're looking for, or will there be nothing but failure ahead, or worse?

The Walls of Air continues the saga begun in The Time of the Dark. Ms. Hambly gave substance to the fears that lurk in the shadows of the night, but now she's given even those shadows something to fear...why else would the Dark be abandoning their northern nests, where they have lurked since time immemorial? On the other hand, we also get to see how difficult living in the close quarters of the Keep is proving, what with the various factions vying for power within its windowless walls. And that's not even getting to how problematic finding a solution to the Dark is turning out to be. It remains to be seen if there will even be a Keep left standing when Ingold and Rudy return...if they return.

Ingold is a stupendous character to behold, seemingly possessed of a master swordsman's skill as well as that of the greatest of mages. It's really small wonder he knows how to traverse the Void and can hold the Dark Ones at bay single-handedly...when not encumbered with protecting hordes of others in close quarters. He isn't all light and beauty, though. Hambly wisely interweaves a darker, bleaker side to the already bleak character, one that involves a tragic history and what may prove to be a tragic future. His power, after all, didn't come without a tremendous price, and it's good to see that he has a reason for being careful with his magic instead of just being wary of its use.

This second book of The Darwath Trilogy doesn't offer anything really conclusive about the whole set except to confirm or negate several proposed solutions to the threat of the Dark, but that's okay. It still offers momentous mishaps and titanic troubles galore, just what we as avid fantasy fans want to see in a second book of a three-part set.

Rating: Thumbs up! Light holds the Dark at bay, but what happens when the Dark can control the light?

Buy this book in paperback or visit the Cosmic Tomes Bazaar for other titles.

Looking for something that's no longer here? Check in the Archive to search for it.

Comments? Suggestions? Just click here to send me e-mail. Also, if this review prompted you to read the book, then let me know. I appreciate knowing I made a difference in somebody's life.

You are the

th visitor to this page since June 1, 1999.

Back Home Back to Starfire Reviews

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page