Zindell (Neverness
) stirs together the grail legend, a dash of Blake and a sprinkling of Tolkien with other bits of lore in this classic fantasy quest, a revised version of an earlier novel and the first entry in a new series. Young knight Valashu Elahad, seventh and least son of the king of Mesh, has no love for war. But minions of the evil Morjin are at work in the land of Ea. King Kiritan of Alonia invites the knights of Ea to his court to formally begin the grand quest for the Lightstone, the long-lost Cup of Heaven. Driven by visions of the golden cup, Val sets off for Alonia, joined by warrior-scholar Master Juwain and hedonistic but goodhearted Brother Maram. Along the way Val's company grows, even as nightmares trouble his soul deeply. By the end, the company numbers seven, echoing an ancient prophecy: "A seventh son... will slay the dragon. The old world will be destroyed and a new one created." Vivid characters and richly detailed settings offset some uneven pacing and a few predictable elements. (June)
