Grand Conspiracy ($26.00; Jan.; 640 pp.; 0-06-105219-1). Addition to Wurts’s fantasy Wars of Light and Shadow series (Curse of the Mistwraith, 1994, and others not seen). Half-brothers Lysaer, the Lord of Light (he must seek justice whatever the cost) and Arithon, Master of Shadows (he requires forgiveness) slug it out yet again. For non-fans, the main attraction here is Wurts’s gnarled and often unconsciously hilarious prose (“Caught breathless by the speed of the wrestler’s jab that hooked the hinge of his knee and wrenched in a practiced move to fell him, the duke’s brother struck back with locked fists”). Even that, however, palls after a few paragraphs.
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-06-105219-1
Page Count: 640
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
The latest historical by Irish bard Llywelyn (Red Branch, Druids, etc.) kicks off in the winter of 1602-03. And a cruel winter it is, following the sad defeat of Gaelic nationals at the Battle of Kinsale. As Llywelyn makes clear, the Gaelic people of Ireland spent (and, some would say, are still spending) centuries in combat with aggressors like the Vikings and Normans. But this novel is a paean to the last chieftain, Donal Cam, The O'Sullivan, who tried to stand up to the British under Elizabeth I. In fact, the jig is already up by the time the story here begins, since it follows Donal Cam's disastrous flight across Munster, Connacht, and Leitrim after the British victory. His famished, ragtag group of a thousand refugees, camp followers, clansmen, and soldiers diminishes to almost nothing by the time they reach safe harbor at O'Rourke Castle, and along the way there are dribbles of soap opera as well, just to keep the human interest going. The chieftain's antique aunt and uncle snip at each other lovingly; a cavalry man who's had to give up his horse turns traitor; a young couple falls in love while keeping warm under a hide; and we learn exactly why Donal Cam joined the revolt against the English—apparently, his bastard son got skewered by an enemy soldier. All this and harquebuses, not to mention Gaelophilia. What's more, it's perfect if forced marches are your thing.
Pub Date: June 21, 1992
ISBN: 0-688-10794-X
Page Count: 456
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
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