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This is the second in the Earth’s Pendulum trilogy. The first (Back from Chaos) was a book that nudged the fantasy genre into my reading list. It was a genre I really hadn’t explored that much.
The kingdoms of the One Isle are still plagued by corruption. If that's not enough, the harvests are threatened by drought and famine threatening Earth’s balance. Liannis, with her power of seeing, is bound to apply her newly acquired ‘qualification’ to help redress the balance and aid her ruler rid the kingdoms of evil.
This second book follows on seamlessly from the first, despite the seventeen-year gap. I think, of the two, I enjoyed the first book the most…this one was a little slower. But I was really looking forward to meeting my favourite character, Klast, again, an older man now with a daughter, Liannis, who has taken on Liethis’ heavy mantle as Earth’s seer. I also enjoyed the growing—albeit wobbly—relationship that develops between Liannis and her helper, Merrist. It’s a relationship that walks a tightrope, as such liaisons are forbidden to seers. But the author shrouds this with tenderness and an air of ‘maybe’.
The main element of fantasy is an author’s imagination, and I continued to be impressed by Yvonne’s creativity, and, very notably, the way she threaded a fantasy tale with a modern reality. Her characters, although from a different world, are believable in context, and by the end I found that Merrist could well be ousting Klast from his place in my heart.
The lack of action in this sequel is more than made up for by its mellowness, insight and magical charm.
Thank you so much Cathy. I'm glad that you warmed to Merrist as he is a main player in the third and final installment in the series. No spoilers, though. :D
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