DRUM CALLS: Vol. II of The Drums of Chaos

Second installment of Clayton's fantasy trilogy (Drum Warning, 1996) about the two linked worlds of Glandair and Iomard and the magical Pneuma that flows between them. Now, at the top of the cycle, the Pneuma flow threatens to destroy both worlds unless a Hero of Glandair--the unassuming Lyanz--can absorb the flow and then redirect it at the critical moment. Lyanz's chief protector, among a cast of thousands, is the powerful but magically untrained Cymel. Indeed, Clayton's handling of magic is the principle allure here; the rest is bewilderingly hard to follow. Fans of the first volume will probably find this one worth the considerable effort necessary to absorb it; outsiders may think it's time Chaos got a new drummer.