At the start of this workmanlike fantasy from horror writer Waggoner (Pandora Drive
), everyone in the country of Athymar suddenly falls asleep. On awakening, most people have gained a minor magical ability (e.g., one man can change his eye color). "The Change" has a more significant effect on others, including Tarian Ambrus, a former soldier. Tarian is now a healer, but he can no longer hold a weapon. Tarian's wife, Lowri, suffers an even more unpleasant change. For Lowri's sake, Tarian and his son, Phelan, join a quest to find the source of the magic and a way to stop it. The group, which grows to include a royal wizard, a priestess-adviser to the queen of Athymar and an Eyslk (an elf type), trots along its merry way as if its members were heading for a picnic in the park. Hopefully, the action will ramp up in the second book. (July)
