This second volume in the series begins with a flashback which gives additional information on something already covered in book 1. It seems that the sorcerer Tamurello, who has been an opponent of the helpful sorcerer Shimrod and his patron, was behind the decision of the witch Desmei to split herself into three components: Melancthe, who seems stupefied by ennui (as Desmei was as a result of Tamurello's spell) and has already acted as his pawn against Shimrod, Carfilhot, who was known for his cruelties until he was finally defeated and executed in book 1, and a green vapour which had been breathed in by Carfilhot and was released at his death. That vapour, which is the essence of evil, went into the ocean and became a green pearl, so in this volume it is retrieved by a fisherman after being swallowed by a fish, and brings him and others to death and disaster.

However, the story soon leaves the tale of the pearl for some time and returns to King Aillas and his attempts to bring order to his new kingdom in South Ulfland which has been beset by the ruthless Ska invaders who had enslaved him in book 1. Also, his enemy, King Casmir who was responsible for his own daughter's misery and death, is still conspiring against Aillas and trying to discover who is the father of the girl whom he believes to be his daughter's, Suldrun's, child, but whom (as revealed in book 1) is a changeling swapped for her son Dhrun. That son, his growth accelerated by his year with the fairy folk, is now with Aillas, as is Glyneth, the friend who helped Dhrun on his search for his father. Casmir also wants to find out who Dhrun's mother was, and engages Visbhume, a minor sorcerer, a vile character who is a sexual predator of young girls, to find out. And Visbhume eventually targets Glyneth.

I was confused at the beginning where Casmir pays a state visit to Aillas - they have a temporary truce - because at the end of book 1 the villainous priest who betrayed Aillas and Suldrun actually told Casmir. He seemed incredulous, but at least I would have expected him to remember what the priest had said and wonder about it when he comes face to face with Aillas and thinks he looks familiar.

The part of the book where Visbhume kidnaps Glyneth and takes her to another world where he attempts to extort the secret from her, and to assault her, and is continually thwarted by a being sent into that world who combines the virtues of certain others plus the stalwart courage and love of Aillas, does become a bit long and drawn out. It is also a bit irritating that characters such as Glyneth remain naive and prone to falling for the ploys of those that they know are totally evil. It was more believable in book 1 when Glyneth was a child, but not when she is a grown woman and that character has already wrecked havoc.

Therefore, although this was an enjoyable read with plenty of incident, the flaws in the story mean that it balances out at a 3 star read for me.
( )

And now that we've entered firmly into the mid-eighties Fantasy, I'm startled by just how much a giant like Vance was either influenced by or was the influencer of such notable works as many, many of the D&D compendiums. After all, hasn't he been around so much longer? Ah, but never mind that.

What we've got is not dwarves and elves in a fantastic other-realm, but a continuation of the Gaelic isles, the Elder Realm, the lost continent near Avalon, with christian priests still blackmailing, kingdoms still plotting, and parentages still not known to all the pertinent peoples.

The plots are delightful and adventuresome, when they're not political and crafty, and when they're not adventuresome, they're still magical (Ten Realms, so much so,) and full of confidence games, tricksters, and Fae. And even kings play these same games.

Most impressively, at least for me, is the clever and clear and pertinent retellings of old fairy tales, yet again, including the redoubtable Green Pearl that enhances greed and bad luck, various old tales of mistaken identities, and yeah, I'm looking at you, Murgen, and so many other interspersed tales that I cannot even begin to crow about, because they should all be savored and enjoyed.

This may take place hundreds of years before Arthur, but it is no less delightful or lacking in any way when it comes to the sheer weight of myth, great characters, and sheer enjoyment.

Anyone looking for some great fantasy? ( )

Ook dit boek had een leuk verhaal, maar ook hier van komt pas een volgende keer een echt review. Hoop ik. ( )

Energetic and onrushing second volume in Vance's brilliant fantasy trilogy. less set-up this time, more incident and plot and occasional detours and wanderings as King Aillas consolidates his hold over South Ulfland and King Casmir plots and schemes against him and the Ska gather at his borders and magicians conspire to create mischief. It's cracking stuff full of weird characters and battles and chases and captures and escapes all written in a grand ironic style. ( )

Un po' inferiore a Lyonesse, un po' + "politicheggiante" e meno avventuroso in senso stretto, cmq molto bello e lettura gradevolissima. ( )