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: Stranger at the Wedding
Author: Barbara Hambly
Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1994

Six years ago Kyra Peldyrin left home to become a true wizard: not one of the dog wizards, who lived in persecution and in fear of prosecution, but a true wizard learning at the Citadel of Wizards and protected by the Council. Six years ago her father disowned her, as much for fear her strange powers would ruin him professionally as for anger at losing a daughter who could assist him in life--whether through marriage or as an excellent assistant--to a path that could only cause scandal.

Now she is home, a stranger in her family's home...with an important mission to accomplish, for her magic has made it plain that her younger sister will die on her wedding night. Council wizards aren't supposed to use their magic to interfere with ordinary mortal lives, but tell that to someone whose sister isn't facing impending death. Kyra does her best to track down the dog wizard plotting her sister's death, but even she isn't prepared for the truth: her answers lie not in the present, but in the past! Kyra revisits her memories of her life before she left for the Citadel, seeking an answer to the question: who wants her sister dead?

While a desperate quest to save a doomed bride might seem grim and depressing, you'll likely find yourself shaking your head and grinning to yourself, or laughing outright as you follow Kyra's adventures--and misadventures--all over the town of Angelshand. She's in a race against time, but she has more than enough time to tangle herself in a convoluted web of deception and intrigue, star-crossed lovers and religious-political-economic conflicts. The well-balanced pacing of the novel is sure to please, and the various threads of plots and red herrings will keep the book in your hand until you reach the end.

Barbara Hambly has done the absolute unthinkable: produced a fantasy novel with a grim plot that makes the reader want to laugh! All kidding aside, she's crafted characters of power and wealth who are as human as the rest of us. Stranger at the Wedding is very different from the trilogy that is tentatively related to it. You'll find all the magic you could ever want and still enjoy seeing a person suffering ordinary human weaknesses and afflictions.

Rating: Thumbs up! Get ready to enjoy yourself, lovers of fantasy: you'll laugh and grimace throughout this wonderful novel!

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