Mistress of the Catacombs

by David Drake

Reviewed by Coral

Garric and his friends face their toughest challenge yet in their fight for the unification of the Isles. There’s a rebellion in the Western Isles, one that may be using sorcery in the guise of a new religion to raise a dangerous ancient creature to aid their cause. Added to that, a magical attack sends Garric’s spirit and Cashel – body and spirit – into the far distant future where they must fight against not only a tyrant but an ancient enemy that threatens both this harsh future and Garric’s own time as well.

I enjoyed this book more than the last book, though I had the same kind of complaints about it.

I still dislike the contrivances needed to get the four main characters into four separate storylines, especially since most of them still feel pointless. I don’t think it was necessary to the overall story to send Garric and Cashel into the future. At least Ilna’s story had more purpose, although I wish I knew what the point the character Alecto served.

Overall it wasn’t a great book, but it wasn’t a terrible book either.

Grade: B