MISTRESS OF THE CATACOMBS

Volume four in Drake’s generic fantasy on future wizardry (Lord of the Isles, Queen of Demons, and 1999’s Servant of the Dragon), which fast approaches the length of In Search of Lost Time while presenting somewhat more of a struggle for adults to read. The new doombubble of mankind imperiled does have a meandering but sometimes pleasing high danger as characters strive vainly to rise above stereotyping. Drake’s big problem turns on his following the adventures of three or four separate groups of characters and ending each group’s episode at a pitch of excitement that loses its zing before those folks—among them, Prince Garric of Haft, Cashel, Tenoctris, Sharina, Merota, Ilna, and the phantomy Intercessor Echea—return to the page. Drake’s many fans doubtless will look eastward for the sunrise of volume five.