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: Mirror of Destiny
Author: Andre Norton
Publisher: AvoNova Books
Format: Hardcover
Copyright Date: 1995

Something strange is happening in the lands west of Varslaad. Unmarried laborers sent to clear the trees for farming and mining are returning blind, returning half-sane, or returning not at all. When the king learns that married men seem safe from harm, he creates the lottery, conscripting the maidens of the kingdom to marry the men toiling to clear land. The girls have no choice; the men have little more. Twilla has an alternative, however. She has a power of her own and, untrained in its use though she is, has control enough to improve her chances. She befriends a victim of the "forest demons" and with him flees the castle and the uncouth lordling who drew her from the lottery. Once in the woods, Twilla discovers the truth of the forest demons, and uncovers a terrible plot and conspiracy to usurp the forces of good. Can she, with her woefully unfamiliar powers, put and end to the dark spirits bent on conquering the land?

Mirror of Destiny seems to have two predominant messages to convey. The novel reminds me of arranged marriages and picture brides. However, the women of Varslaad have even less power than those bound by early betrothals. Those may not know who their suitors are, but they might yet know something about them. The girls snatched up by the lottery have no idea who they'll marry, and can have no say in their choices. They are little more than objects collected by the king's soldiers and given to the laborers. Some might be lucky in their spouses, but others might not. In this day and age I find it appalling--even allowing it to be a fantasy world--to see women relegated to such demeaning and impersonalized roles. I'm glad the focal character for this piece was a women; it wouldn't be quite the same as seeing a man fighting for the rights of the women.

"The Industrial Monster has descended upon Varslaad, devouring all the arable land in its path." This statement on the jacket sums up the other message central to the story. Plainly spoken, the laborers of the king have exhausted their natural resources and are looking to exploit more, but there are those who wish to preserve what others would so callously consume. Sound familiar? I'd say the message here is to practice conservation. Think of the forest demons as conservationists and environmentalists. They know how to live with the land instead of simply on it.

I'm not overly familiar with Andre Norton's works: this book and several collaborations is all. Still, I find her writing very evocative and alluring. There is a mastery of communication inherent in her work that that firmly imprints words and turns of phrase upon the mind's eye. The two messages I stated above are always apparent, but the weaving of them into the story is so smooth that they aren't thrown in your face. The themes will always receive reinforcement, but in such subtle ways that you will not immediately mark them unless you actively think about them.

Rating: Thumbs up! There's a good argument for recycling and conservation here in a way entirely palatable to even the most resistant of readers!

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