C.J. Cherryh, Fortress of Ice

Fortress of Ice

C.J. Cherryh

Eos, November 2006, $24.95

ISBN 0380979047

King Cefwyn raised his son and heir Aewyn at the royal court at Guelemara, while his older child by a few months, illegitimate offspring Elfwyn, was raised by Gran the hedge-witch in the countryside of Amefel where she called him Otter. The two royals visited Otter often, and now the sixteen year old Elfwyn has been brought to Guelemara to live with his sire and half-brother, though the monarch realizes that the two siblings could become adversaries. He believes with his guidance Elfwyn will be loyal and helpful to Aewyn once the younger is on the throne.

Both teens admire their father and become friends, as well as brothers in spite of all that divided them. However, out of love and good intentions inadvertently King Cefwyn has brought trouble to his kingdom. The Quinalt religious sect demand that Otter leave the court, as his maternal breeding is an abomination to these purist fanatics; they will do what it takes to ensure this happens, including assassination if need be. Worse, Otter's mother, one of the Aswydd sisters and an outraged, perhaps insane sorceress, has escaped her incarceration and is coming for her boy, and to kill her former lover.

The fifth "Fortress" fantasy is a terrific relationships drama that fans of the series will fully appreciate, as everyone will wonder whether Elfwyn will choose his mother or his father. Though a short introduction will help newcomers understand the back story. This reviewer recommends obtaining the four previous novels to better savor this exciting saga, especially the interrelationships between the various key players; all are fully developed, but their conjoining pasts are critical to this plot. C.J. Cherryh provides a fabulous tale, testing the loyalties of the two teenage brothers.