Tim Waggoner, The Orchard of Dreams

The Orchard of Dreams

Tim Waggoner

Five Star, July 2006, $25.95, 329 pp.

ISBN 1594144451

When the Change happens, every man, woman, and child possesses one magical power and some are transformed into other creatures. The people of Athymar don't know what caused the Change but Tarian is determined to find a way to reverse the effects of it on his wife Lowri who was transformed into a flying demon like creature. He and his son Phelan travel to the city of Pendara in the hopes of finding a wizard who can transform Lowri back into the woman he loves instead of the creature who hates him.

In Pendara, Tarian applies his newfound healing powers to the injuries of the dying queen. He, Phelan, and warrior woman Danya of the city watch are invited into the castle by the wizard Cyn. There they meet with the priestess Saeth who was attending the queen and the Esylken warrior Ashur Dal. The Esylken wants Tarian to come to his village in Greenmark Forest to meet with the Timeless Ones, the spirits of the Esylken dead. They asked Ashur specifically to bring him and the queen wants the entire group to go to Hearts Wound to find out what happened in the last battle between Light and Darkness. On their way to the Esylken village, they make a brief detour to a city besieged by demons to kill them and close the rip between the realms. When they finally reach Vallanora, Tarian meets with the Timeless Ones who send his group on a quest in which he is to play a major role in the world's salvation or destruction.

GODFIRE BOOK 1: THE ORCHARD OF DREAMS is a fantastic quest fantasy filled with lots of action and magical battles. The group embarking on the quest consists of fully developed characters with distinct personalities. Readers will like all of them for different reasons but the focal point of Tim Waggoner's terrific fantasy is Tarian who through no fault of his own is granted a great power and an even greater responsibility.

Harriet Klausner