Description:

Amazon.com Review

The Spellsong War continues the story of Anna, who in The Soprano Sorceress went from middle-aged music professor in Iowa to savior and regent of the kingdom of Defalk, on Erde, where music is magic. Though Anna is considered an intelligent and fair regent, women on Erde are very much second-class citizens, and she is continually frustrated that the men she must negotiate with respect her power as a sorceress but fail to recognize her other gifts. However, she has little time to consider her own position, as she tries to rebuild the war- and famine-shattered Defalk for its eventual ruler, the child Lord Jimbob. The kingdoms that surround Defalk are plotting to overthrow Anna, and she walks a fine line in using magic against them; every spell weakens her, and the wrong spell could even kill her. Anna's maturity and concentration are a refreshing find in the fantasy genre. There's no silly romance here; instead, readers are treated to a thoughtful plot, realistic problems, and a finely drawn heroine.

From Kirkus Reviews

The inevitable, if unnecessary, sequel to Modesitt's fine music-magic feminist fantasy, The Soprano Sorceress (1997), with its appropriately Wagnerian backdrop. Here, having destroyed the Ebran invaders, sorceress Anna rules Defalk as Regent on behalf of young Jimbob. But Anna is beset by problems. Internally, Defalk's lords, except for the faithful Lord Jecks, resent being ruled by a female and cooperate reluctantly, if at all. There's a shortage of seed grain, but Defalk's debt to the suppliers is already huge. And Anna is forced to constrain by sorcerous means the rebellious Lady Wendella; she must also recruit new musicians to replace those killed in the war, find new weapon smiths, and magically rebuild Defalk's tottering infrastructure--while every tiny use of magic drains her energies. Externally, the rulers of ancient and powerful Nordwei wonder whether Anna is a threat. Konsstin of Mansuur dreams of establishing an Empire of Music. Nubara of Neserea schemes to encircle Defalk with armies. Only the Matriarchs of Ranuak give Anna a by-no-means unanimous approval. If there has to be a series, then this is an agreeable and worthwhile addition--much fresher and more tempting than Modesitt's unending Magic of Recluce yarns. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.