Angela Knight, Master of Swords

Master of Swords

Angela Knight

Berkley, October 2006, $7.99

ISBN: 0425209210

In 510 Avalon, in the mageverse, Gawain of the Round Table sees six hell hounds have trapped a dragon. He intercedes and saves the dragon's life, who uses a spell so they can communicate. Kel and Gawain become friends. One year later, Kel finds he likes being in human form where he seduces the magae, but his hanging with Gawain and company upsets the other dragons. Kel's Uncle Dragon Lord Tegid, fearing him, casts a spell that reduces his nephew to a silver sword with his only escape being the death of his best friend Gawain.

In the present, after an attack left four tyro defenders dead, King Arthur announces a new pairing. A relative newcomer will be paired with a veteran. Gawain becomes Lark's mentor. At his home, Gawain and Lark make love and he takes a bite, as vampires do when they are with magae. Afterward, Morgana assigns Gawain and Lark to investigate a murder. They find strong magic, but finally with Kel's help they arrive to find the sorcerer dead. They track that kill to a more powerful sorcerer Richard Edge, son of Avalon parents; but he was rejected by the community as unworthy. Now Richard has a powerful ally and owns the last of the three Black Grails.

Though this delightful Camelot tale can stand alone, the tale has threads left from previous Mageverse novels, like MASTER OF WOLVES and the novella "Galahad" from BITE. The strong support cast, especially Kel and the Camelot crowd adds depth to the mageverse, and enhances either by combat or friendship the terrific relationship between the lead couple that changes over time. A fabulous final twist involving the hero and his father add to a terrific romantic fantasy that spins the Arthurian legend into a different unique direction.