ISBN: 0-441-77242-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
This tale of the end of a lost land resembles Irish myth-based fantasy, and has the beauty and remoteness of a sad song.
Reviewed by David on November 08, 1998
Genre: Fantasy (Celtic, Mythic Lands)
Synopsis: The legendary Grey Islands, like Atlantis or Lyonesse, have harbored a sophisticated, almost decadent civilization, until a catastrophe of Chaos and Ocean flooded the lost islands and destroyed most of its inhabitants.
This is a tale of the Grey Islands' last days, tragic and beautiful, full of courage and despair, stoicism and desperation.
Full Review: The last days of the Grey Isles are told as a collection of five stories, each describing one of a small group of relatives and friends that face the last tragedy of their land. The last princess, unable to sleep due to her ominous dreams; the bard looking for dangerous pleasures to forget the coming disaster; the courageous mage trying to prevent the destroying wave; the adventurous prince embarking on a voyage of peril and wonder to save a small band from destruction. Finally, in the Final Song, the last inhabitants face the oncoming tide with fear and acceptance.
The motifs are all very Irish, and could come from many of the Irish-based fantasies published in the eighties. The sense of doom adds a pleasing poignancy to the tales, but their stylized nature rarely allows for any character development. While well crafted, like a tone poem, the lack of emotional involvement makes the book remote and unexciting.
Overall: 4; Plot: 3; Characters: 4.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1983, Charter Communications (Ace), June 1983, Mass market paperback, 312 pages
ISBN: 0-441-77242-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com