Patricia Bray, The First Betrayal

The First Betrayal

Patricia Bray

Bantam, Jun 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 0553588761

The Priest Josan had the most brilliant mind in the Collegium of the Learned Brethren located in the capital of Karystos in the Ikarian Empire until a fever broke his mind and body. He was sent to the lighthouse of Txomin's Island where he stayed to heal for five years until an assassin came to kill him. Defeating his foe, Josan realizes he has fighting skills that a priest and scholar should not possess.

The islanders believe Josan is a murderer forcing him to leave. He obtains work in a stable run by Myles, who realizes what and who his new employee is. Myles takes Josan to Karystos to finish what was started before the Josan who was a priest was exiled, which means Josan defies the order of Nikos, the head of the collegium not to return until he says so. Josan knows Another inhabits his mind; this being must prevent Ysobel of the Sedddon Federation from achieving a devastating plan; failure means civil war for the Ikarian Empire.

Patricia Bray is a great world builder who uses magic sporadically in THE FIRST BETRAYAL, which adds to the believability of the plot. The protagonist changes over the cause of his odyssey from a man with fragmented memories to a champion with strength to achieve his objective of preventing another civil war in the empire. Readers will eagerly look forward to the next tale in this superb fantasy series.

Harriet Klausner