Illusion

Amazon.com Review Okay, it's a retelling of the French Revolution, but there's magic in this story. You know what's going to happen by page 3, though some of the particulars differ. The familiar-seeming background makes the sorcery-touched story that much more engrossing. Read this for Volsky's wonderful fillips of detail, which make her story live and breathe, and read it for her engaging characters: Eliste's education in the gilded palace of the Beviaire and in the streets of Shereen, Dref Zeenoson's rise, ingenious Uncle Quinz's illusions. But watch out: it's nearly impossible to stop reading this absorbing, densely-plotted novel, and that's the real magic. From Library Journal As political unrest threatens the country of Vonahr and peasant-philosophers publicly question the innate magical powers of the Exalted ruling class, young noblewoman Eliste vo Derrivale concerns herself with truly important matters--her debut at the Royal Court of Sherreen--blissfully unaware of the violence that will soon shatter her privileged life. Volsky's ( The Sorcerer's Lady , Ace: Berkeley, 1986) latest novel, a fantasy re-creation of the French Revolution, captures the atmosphere of a world in turmoil. The fantasy element is understated but integral to the plot, as magical and political illusions vie for supremacy. Like Ursula K. Le Guin's Malafrena (Putnam, 1979) and Orsinian Tales ( LJ 10/1/76), this quasihistorical adventure should have considerable crossover appeal. Recommended for most libraries. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. Eliste vo Derrivalle is one of the Exalted, the aristocracy whose ancient magical powers have diminished gradually. However, revolution is afoot, and, while the old magic is being revived, Eliste is cast adrift on the streets of a city enveloped in terror. By the author of "The Sorceror's Heir". Fantasy. Spoilt, Eliste von Derrivalle, daughter of a Marquis, is sent to become a maid-in-waiting to the Queen of Sherreen and becomes enmeshed in terror and revolution.