Discover the spellbinding legend of generational atonement and redemption between a reluctant mage, a powerful wizard, a struggling heir, fae royalty, and a mysterious scullery maid.

When the White Wolf descends upon the battlefield, the results are disastrous. His fateful decision to end a war with powerful magic changes the destiny of four kingdoms: warlike Kardeth, resilient Pelucir, idyllic Chaumenard, and the mysterious Elven realm.

Twenty years later, Prince Talis, orphaned heir to Pelucir, is meant to be the savior of the realm. However, the prince is neither interested in ruling nor a particularly skilled mage. Further, he is obsessed with a corrupted spellbook, and he is haunted by visions from the woods.

The legendary mage Atrix Wolfe has forsaken magic and the world of men. But the Queen of the Wood, whose fae lands overlap Pelucir’s bloody battlefield, is calling Wolfe back. Her consort and her daughter have been missing since the siege, and if Wolfe cannot intervene, the Queen will keep a sacrifice for her own.

In rereading this novel for the 30th anniversary, I find myself in awe of Patricia A. McKillip. Her words are haunting and gorgeous as she blends magic and complexity, knitting them together in a way I’ve seen by few others. I will get into the story itself but if you have never visited her worlds, I recommend you find a copy as soon as possible. 

In The Book of Atrix Wolfe, one of the elements that I noticed is the lyrical language choices, beautifully descriptive, pulling you into the glorious story. The characters are complex and multi-faceted. Atrix is neither a villain or the hero of the piece, he is simply a man with power and it is the nature of power that is explored in this narrative. That and the nature of sorrow. I love the clash between the immortal fey and the fleeting humans, between magic and love, and the unchanging versus the ever changing. This story delves into all of those ideas and in some ways leaves you with more thoughts left behind than conclusions. But it also teaches about life, love, and death as well. 

No other author I know could combine all of those elements in one story and be so successful as Patricia A. Mckillip. Her skill with words and with ideas transcends time. Even after thirty years, there is still an immediacy to her writing that pulls in the reader and compels them to surround them with her world. If you love stories of magic, of the fey, of love and life, this book is for you. You will find the characters unexpected, in just who saves who, and you will find the words, the narrative haunting and glorious as you revel in the language and the thoughts. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 spells. 

Tachyon Publications

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