The Keepers of Sulbreth: The Futhark Chronicles, Vol. 1

Readers who persevere past the uninspiring beginning of this romantic fantasy will be rewarded with an above-average tale that includes some interesting questions about destiny and free will. The isolated island of Futhark is elevated high above the sea, guarded by magic-using Keepers and their armed Marshals. Cage Stone, an elven half-breed bastard, travels to the king’s city of Sulbreth to compete in a tournament to secure his adopted family’s future. Highly skilled, Cage soon becomes a Marshal in the service of Keeper Sabelline and accompanies her on a journey to reseal the kingdom’s magical gate against a plague of monsters. The tight focus on the main characters glosses over the common folks’ perception of the events, but there’s plenty of action and philosophy to keep the pages turning. (Jan.)