The Spirit Lens: A Novel of the Collegia Magica
Starred Review. In this superbly realized leadoff to Berg's quasi-Renaissance fantasy trilogy, natural science, backed by Sabria's King Philippe, is gaining popularity, leading some magicians to attempt his assassination. Failed mage and self-doubting librarian Portier de Savin-Duplais is chosen by Philippe, his distant cousin, to secretly probe a treacherous plot that involves his beloved queen. With fellow agents confides Ilario, an inane chevalier, and Dante, a ferocious renegade sorcerer, Portier embarks on an intricate quest to save king and kingdom. As in her widely praisedBreath and Bone, Berg shapes the well-worn elements of epic fantasy into a lush, absorbing narrative. Even her minor characters, caught up in fiendish plots and deathly secrets, ring regally true, and Portier oscillates between rueful, reluctant, ethics-bending service and painful but necessary revelations while his old world collapses and a new one struggles to be born.(Jan.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.