Kingdoms of the Night

Sequel-itis takes hold of Cole and Bunch as they rehash much of the ground already covered in the enormously popular earlier books in this series (The Warrior's Tale, etc.). Lord Amalric Antero, who narrates, has grown old and tired of life, but he is revitalized by the appearance of Janela Kether Greycloak, the beautiful granddaughter of his deceased fellow explorer Janos Greycloak. Janela convinces Amalric to join her in yet another quest for the Far Kingdoms, claiming that Amalric's original journey never actually led him to the wondrous land where sorcery would be made quantifiable and accessible to all. So once again the dashing adventurer, accompanied this time by Janela, takes to the high seas, retracing much of the trail detailed in The Far Kingdoms and pursued by both his vengeful son and a rather ineffectual magician. While this novel features less conflict, purpose and plot, as well as fewer new or interesting settings, than the earlier volumes, Cole and Bunch use their enchantingly breezy style to excellent effect, with witty anecdotes lulling the reader into believing that some sort of rousing adventure might be taking place after all. (June)