BLACK TRILLIUM

Three top fantasy stars combine in this tale of three royal sisters--whose combined magical powers save their kingdom from evil invaders. The Queen of Ruwenda gives birth to triplet daughters. The White Lady, magical protector of the kingdom, comes to aid in their birth, and gives each of them an amulet made of the Black Trillium--a rare flower that grows in the swamps of Ruwenda--and prophesies that the children are destined to save the kingdom. Years later, Voltrik, the greedy King of neighboring Labornok, invades Ruwenda, aided by an evil sorcerer. Knowing of the prophecy, Voltrik and his sorcerer intend to kill the three sisters, now young women: scholarly Haramis, shy Anigel, and Kadiya, lover of the woods and deep swamps. The three princesses escape, are separated, and undergo various trials; they grow in strength as they discover their true inner natures. At the end, they unite--along with the swamp people--to defeat Voltrik and fulfill their magical destinies. The somewhat formulaic plot aside, this is an inventive quest fantasy with strong characters and a well. realized setting--quite worthy of the considerable talents involved.