Jennifer Roberson, Karavans

Karavans

Jennifer Roberson

Daw, April 2006, $25.95, 640 pp.

ISBN 0756461720

The province of Sancorra has been occupied by the Hecari horde, and when too many native inhabitants congregate in one place the victors cull the natives, killing one in ten. Davyd and Audrun, with their four children flee Sancorra to make a new life for themselves in Atalanda province where they have kin. At the tent city settlement where the caravans set off from, Audrun talks Master Jorda into taking them with his team until they get to the shortcut. From there they will go on alone.

The only problem is that the shortcut is near Alisanos, a land that is sentient, and according to Rhuan, a member of the mysterious Shoia race is planning to destroy everything in its path. The Shoia consider themselves superior to men with mysterious powers, including the ability to die six times before their final death. Rhuan likes humans, unlike his kin Brodhi who is also in the human world. When Brodhi communicates through his blood bond, Rhuan learns that the tent city settlement was culled by the Hecari. The Karavans turns around except for Davyd and his family. After warning the settlement that Alisanos is on the move, Rhuan rushes to find Davyd and his family so that he can rescue them if he can.

In this exciting and enjoyable high fantasy novel, Jennifer Roberson creates a world that is so meticulously detailed, readers can actually visualize it. Lyrical prose combined with brilliantly developed characters make Karavans a magical treat. The point of view rotates between various characters, so the audience knows at all times, the moods and feelings of the protagonists. Like any book written by Ms. Robertson, there are some stunning surprises that catch the reader off-guard. The audience will look forward to the next book in this exciting series.