| SF Reviews by Aaron M. Renn | By Author - By Title - By Date Reviewed |
Conclusion: Marginal
I believe this is the first book by Cary, and unfortunately it's not a particularly strong effort. It's got all the cliched elements I don't like in fantasy novels: the depressing, pseudo-medieval setting; the strong female character struggling to find her place in a male dominated world; the coutiers more interested in their own power than the well-being of the kingdom; and so on. On the other hand, the book is very short, and could possible be valuable as light entertainment filler.
King Ethelred of Albor dies, leaving a wife and an heir far too young to rule. On his death bed, he names his queen as his preferred regent, touching off a mad scramble among the court nobles, most of whom have ambitions to be regent themsevles and see Queen Elissa - and any other woman for that matter - as unfit to rule. Elissa must prove herself worthy to be regent, overcoming everything the nobles can throw at her, as well as her own inexperience.
This book is self contained, but clearly a sequel has been set up.
%A Cary, Devin %T The Winter Queen %I Ace %D 1999-12 %G ISBN 0-441-00681-7 %P 282 pp. %O mass market paperback, US$5.99
Reviewed on 2000-01-10
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