Patrick Welch, Cynnador

Cynnador

Patrick Welch

Twilight Times Book, Dec 2006, $16.95

ISBN: 1933353767

Merchants love to sell their wares to the residents of the affluent Cynnador as they are always welcomed and make plenty of money. On the other hand invincible conquerors detest the name of Cynnador as many have come to plunder the obvious wealth, but none have succeeded; these warrior leaders know to gain victory over Cynnador means glory for eternity. However, though many have tried as the prize is enormous, none have achieved the goal as just prior to an assault, the city somehow vanishes; at least that is what stunned soldiers insist occurred.

Powerful industrialist Lady Aethia Breen has established a party to go deep inside the mountainous catacombs to learn the truth about their city because she senses a monstrous threat to their existence. The members are obvious representatives of society being a merchant, a swordsman and a master magician. However, none of these courageous souls understand why Aethia insists that Breen the thief should accompany them. Wyxham, Pa'ak, Oido, Pfannig, Coricoco and Bhruhan are intrepid explorers while Breen is a scavenger. Each also ponders what they will find.

This is a fascinating fantasy with a different opening format that starts off with thirteen preludes to introduce the audience to the city, the key cast and the quest. Readers will be hooked even before the prime adventure begins as the audience will want to know more about this strange Cynnador. The key players contain differing personalities including diverse moral tendencies with one theme being don't cheat or face an even odder justice that is personalized somehow. Once the audience joins the quest, you cannot pull out until the adventures deep into the catacombs are completed so set aside some time because like this reviewer you will want to know what is going on that makes this city so enigmatic to insiders, outsiders, and readers.

Harriet Klausner