Watt-Evans, author of the Obsidian Chronicles
(Dragon Venom
, etc.), depicts a fantasy world built on a system of checks and balances with real bite in the solid first of a new series. Barokan is ruled by the Wizard Lord, a wizard imbued with the combined magic of many wizards in order to keep them from running roughshod over the land. And to prevent the Wizard Lord from turning evil, there are eight Chosen Heroes imbued with aspects of the Wizard Lord's power so that working together they could defeat a rogue Wizard Lord. Breaker, a youth in the village of Mad Oak, assumes the mantle of the Chosen Swordsman as part of an effort to remove the current Wizard Lord. This is straightforward, old-fashioned sword and sorcery, though a little more philosophical than most. (Mar.)
