Exile's Challenge (Exiles Saga)
Book two of Wells' Exiles Saga purports to conclude it and, indeed, provides an adequate resolution to the story. If Wells has actually resisted the temptation to write a trilogy or more, he is a man of antique virtue--one who also has a fair number of literary gifts, including those for pacing, world building, and freshening virtually archetypal fantasy concepts and characters. Wells' hero, while given the warriorlike appellation the Major, has a reluctance to be heroic that gives him depth; nevertheless, his demonic opponents give him a serious fight and, though overcome in the end, put readers in real suspense. The rebellious, demagogic Dreamer is reminiscent of Patrick Buchanan, and Akratil is a persuasive villain as, by both material and magical means, he sows doubts that nearly turn the tide before the final victory. Good, solid, satisfying fantasy fare.Roland Green