Andre Norton and Jean Rabe, A Taste of Magic

A Taste of Magic

Andre Norton and Jean Rabe

Tor, November 2006, $24.95, 304 pp

ISBN 0365315270

One morning, Westeria, commonly known as Eri, goes out hunting deep in the woods, and on her return her powerful Wyse magic senses death and bloodshed in her Village Nar. When she arrives at her home she sees that everyone is dead, except for Alysen who was protected by a "do not see me" spell by the witch Nanoo Gafna. Alysen claims that the leader of the men Lord Purvis came to kill Eri because her father, the food taster for the Emperor is dead, as is the Emperor. The empress wants the magic of her line to die with her.

Eri swears a blood oath to kill Lord Purvis, but first she must get Alysen to the witches in Mardel's Fen protected by the woods and the earth magic that allows them to keep intruders out. Before they get there they rescue a trapped bird-like creature, not knowing it is evil. It orders the two females to take it to a certain place, but they destroy it before it can harm Eri and Alysen. After Alysen is put under the care of the Nanoos, their leader and Eri try and rescue Nanoo Gafna who saved Alysen. Eri is then free to complete her mission, only she learns Lord Purvis is going to the village of Mardel's Fen; she races against time to stop another bloodbath.

This is the last book Andre Norton started to write before she died; Jean Rabe using outlines, notes and a few written chapters written complete the fine fantasy, which contains the same magical feel as all the great author's books seem to have. Readers will sympathize with the heroine who blames herself for the deaths of her loved ones. However, the shocker that makes this a delightful read is to learn who her true enemy is.