The Magicians' Daughter
S.C. Butler
Tor, May 2009, $27.95
ISBN 9780765314796
The wicked Wizard Fornoch turns his attention from destroying his former student the magician Reiffen and his enemy’s mage wife Ferris to their ten years old offspring Hubley. At least that is what Reiffen believes the last wizard, who once abducted him, (see REIFFEN’S CHOICE) plans. Reiffen turns so obsessive in his efforts to keep his daughter safe, he drives his spouse and child crazy while they wonder if he is going mad with his paranoid fixation.
However, his over protection leads to a frustrated Hubley suddenly finding her magical skills. Still she, her mom, her father’s friend Avender, and others try to keep her safe from the evil Fornoch and even more so from her insane phobic father. Avender has his own issues as he loves the queen who is married to a close friend. All this preoccupation is going on while the manderstone expands in Issinlough.
The premise of Reiffen losing his mind is a terrific concept as heroes never mentally fall apart, but the story line feels somewhat padded especially with a bittersweet romantic triangular subplot. The Stoneways fantasy has moved on with the next generation title character playing a major role (and not as her increasingly demented father’s fear for her – keep in mind the paranoid can sometimes be right). Fans of the saga will enjoy the finish that started as a coming of age thriller (REIFFEN’S CHOICE) became a morality drama (QUEEN FERRIS) and ends with a psychological save the world thriller.
Harriet Klausner
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