THE RED WYVERN

First of a series within a series: Although set within Kerr's existing Celtic fantasy world of Deverry (A Time of Omens, 1992, etc.), this one kicks off a new set of characters and doings. Again, the struggles of the past reverberate down the ages, and the chief characters—such as the mysterious ``dweomermaster,'' Nevyn- -exist in multiple reincarnations. Long ago in the time of the Civil Wars, young, magically talented Lillorigga quarrels with her cruel and manipulative mother, Merodda; in the present, Merodda will be reincarnated as Raena, the Raven Woman, deadly foe of the half-elfin hero Rhodry Maelwaedd. More of the usual.