Emissary

Locke (a pseudonym for Christy-winning inspirational thriller author Davis Bunn) launches the Legends of the Realm fantasy series with this competent story that owes more to the Lord of the Rings trilogy than the Bible. Hyam, a young man expelled from the wizard-run Long Hall under mysterious circumstances, finds an ancient orb that conducts a mystical force, and feels within himself “the power to transform this force, redirect it, utilize it.” Hyam is joined by a woman named Joelle who had been held against her will by wizards; she escapes to become Hyam’s swordbearer, protector, and love interest. They determine that the orb must be destroyed or it will be used by dark powers to rule the realm. Locke capably builds suspense but overplays the lead-up to the inevitable showdown. Even if fans of Bunn’s international thrillers don’t follow him over to the fantasy realm, readers of inspirational fantasy will enjoy his foray into a new genre. (Jan.)