BOOK REVIEW

Ombria In Shadow by Patricia McKillip. World Fantasy Award

(Brought to you by kat impatientreader.com)  This won the World Fantasy Award, but seems slow-moving even though McKillip can always be relied upon for good writing. 

In the richly-drawn seaside port of Ombria, filled with danger and intrigue in a vaguely Shakespearian time, the ruling prince has just died.  The next prince is too young to inherit. His evil regent the Black Pearl throws out the old prince's mistress Lydea who must stumble back across the harrowing city to take up her old life as a serving wench in her cranky father's tavern.

Meanwhile, as the Black Pearl tightens her grip on the reins of power and starts running Ombria into the ground, the frightened nobles start trying to pressure Ducon, an illegitimate prince, to lead a rebellion.  He however is obsessed with sketching Ombria and its many doorways into a shadow city of fairies that reflects the mundane city.  Within the shadow city, a powerful sorceress and her assistant Mag manipulate the action from afar. 

Eventually Lydea and Ducon and Mag must unite to save the boy prince and to awaken the shadow city which will somehow save the real city in a hard-to-understand way. This sounds great but moved slowly and all three main characters seemed exactly alike.You can find Ombria in Shadow on Amazon.com through this link: 

Ombria in Shadow

Noteworthy Links:   Wonderquest - Science Q/A! The Connection - Tech blog! Author site - John the Eunuch Historical Mystery series, Cozy Mystery List for all your cozy mystery needs, Obsidian Bookshelf - reviews of gay-themed fiction.
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