cover image GUARDIAN OF THE FREEDOM: Merlin's Descendants: Volume Five

GUARDIAN OF THE FREEDOM: Merlin's Descendants: Volume Five

Irene Radford, . . DAW, $24.95 (512pp) ISBN 978-0-7564-0178-8

Set in the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War, Radford's swashbuckling fifth book in her Merlin's Descendants series (after 2003's Guardian of the Promise ) focuses on Georgina "Georgie" Kirkwood, newly appointed Knight of the Inner Circle of the Pendragon Society. Georgie serves as a counselor to her brother, Drake, who's the Pendragon (master magician) of England. Being a rebellious and free-spirited woman, Georgie chafes at the restrictions placed on females, so she disguises herself as a misbegotten, mercenary son of an earl and runs off to the Austro-Hungarian border, where she joins the battle against the invading Turks and is sorely wounded. Seven years later, she returns home to find her family being harried by some mysterious person who's trying to take over the society and kill Drake. Finally, blackmailed and forced to leave England, Georgie becomes a spy against the rebellious colonists in America. The smooth blend of historical fantasy, magic and audacious swordsmanship makes for an absorbing and fun read. (Apr. 5)