... can go on the bookshelves with the other books I've read. Yep, Page 662 completed, the excellent first volume of Pat's trilogy has provided several hours of pleasure for me.

It's straightforward epic fantasy without the tedium that so many writers of epics seem incapable of trimming from their tales. It's nonstop adventure -- but the adventure encompasses more than battles with a dragon (though there is one), magic spells (though there are many), and torments (though there are those, as well). There's a story within the story (and stories within the story within the story), and Pat is a master storyteller, drawing the reader effortlessly from one chapter to the next.

Now, how the heck long is it going to be before Volume Two, I wonder ...