Lisle’s unengaging second novel set in the fantasy realm of Korre (after 2005’s Talyn
) revolves around the mystical bond between Aaran, “a veteran tracker of slaves” on a quest to find his long-lost sister, and a nameless female slave whose unlikely ascension to oracle has made her all too aware of a plot that could wipe out an entire race. The young slave’s transformation into Hawkspar, a demigoddess who can “rearrange the flow of Time’s river,” requires replacing her eyes with magical stones, but her newfound abilities let her see a way to avert the deaths of thousands, although that path also means her certain death. Lisle’s return to Korre is plagued by a glut of two-dimensional characters and a decidedly uninspired story line. Despite plenty of action—battles with sea beasts, cannibals, wizards, etc.—the lack of substantive characters and complex plot makes for a flat and predictable read. (June)
