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Product Description Approaching her older years, Haramis, the Archimage of Ruwenda, faces the challenge of naming her successor, an individual whom she desperately wishes to train and prepare for the responsibilities of the kingdom. From Library Journal When the aging princess Haramis, Archmage of Ruwenda and protector of its lands, senses her impending death, she settles upon young Princess Mikayla as her successor-heedless of the fact that her plans ignore Mikayla's own desires. Set against the background created in Black Trillium (co-authored with Julian May and Andre Norton, LJ 8/90), Bradley's latest novel focuses not on the cliched battle between good and evil but rather on the more subtle war of the misunderstanding and intolerance found between old and young. Poignant in its depiction of old age, this is a strong addition to most libraries.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Bradley writes the latest sequel toBlack Trillium (1990), the fantasy she created with Julian May and Andre Norton that has generated several successful progeny, all by her lonesome. Her tale concerns the triplet princesses of Ruwenda and their fight to save their homeland. Some time back, Princess Haramis became, on next to no notice, archimage of Ruwenda and had to learn how to handle both her powers and her office as she went along. Now she is aging and must groom a successor. Her determination unleashes a storm of personal and political intrigues, both mundane and magical. With her well-established talents for depicting female characters, political shenanigans, and potent magic, Bradley turns out a thoroughly satisfying yarn that brings to a fine conclusion a project that might have been a disaster in lesser hands.Roland Green
As the aging Archimage Haramis faces the twilight of her reign, she must navigate the complex task of selecting and training a successor to protect the kingdom of Ruwenda. Haramis identifies the young Princess Mikayla as the heir to her magical mantle, yet her singular focus ignores the girl's own aspirations and autonomy. This disconnect sparks a series of personal and political conflicts that threaten the stability of the realm. The narrative explores the friction between generations, utilizing a character-driven perspective to examine the weight of duty and the evolution of magical governance.
Critics and readers have noted that this work successfully expands upon the foundation established in the original collaborative series. The narrative is often praised for its nuanced portrayal of aging and the specific challenges faced by a mentor attempting to pass on a legacy. Reviewers highlight the author's ability to shift the focus away from traditional binary conflicts toward more subtle, character-driven themes of intolerance and misunderstanding. The book is generally regarded as a satisfying conclusion to the specific arc of the Ruwenda princesses, demonstrating a consistent command of the established fantasy setting.
Page Count:
291
Publication Date:
1995-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
0002253291
ISBN-13:
9780002253291
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