David Keck, In The Eye of Heaven

In The Eye of Heaven

David Keck

Tor, Apr 2006, $25.95, 416 pp.

ISBN 0765313200

Durand considers himself lucky as a second son to gain the title and the lands of a widowed and childless knight in his father's barony. All his training has gone for naught when the dead knight's son makes his appearance, leaving Durand with very few choices concerning his future. He decides to fight in a tournament in hopes of obtaining a place in a powerful lord's household. He joins the household of Lord Radomor, the son of the duke of Yrlac.

When Radomor learns he has been cuckolded, he locks his wife and her newborn child into a room without food or drink. Disgusted by this ugliness, and wanting no part in the conspiracy to overthrow the king of the Errest, he leaves to join the retinue of Lamoric the youngest son of the Duke of Abravanal. While traveling, they stumble into the otherworldly place where Durand wins a favor from THE LADY OF THE BOWER. When they enter the real world Lamoric and the man he fought in a tourney, Lord Moryn along with Durand join forces to prevent Radomor from stealing the crown through guile and treachery.

If Radomor takes the crown, the Banished led by the Son of Morningstar and his Host will gain a foothold in the kingdoms, and that is something Durand and Lamoric will prevent at any cost. There are plenty of battle scenes, much political intrigue, and a touch of magic in this excellent sword and sorcery fantasy. The characters are well developed, especially Lamoric as a king Arthur archetype, and Durand embodies the Sir Lancelot mythos. The audience will want more works starring this champion.