Atlan

This is the sequel to THE SERPENT (which I also recommend). Cija is now empress of Atlan with children of her own, but that does not stop her adventures. The book expands the Atlan mythos nicely, with many truths beginning to emerge. Yet it is wonderfully paced, with some very good villains and living caricatures (Miss Gaskell always portrays narrow minded peasants rather well). Cija is herself sympathetic and funny and it is easy to cheer for her throughout the book. My only quibble is that Cija does mourn dead friends from her first adventure (Narra, Ums) apart from a minor character. But this book is the best fantasy I have read in a while with a magnetic main character.

The Atlan Series (The Serpent, The Dragon, The City, Atlan, and Some Summer Lands) are a wonderful introduction to fantasy literature. Jane Gaskell's heroine, Cija, is both vulnerable and capable. The characters are clearly drawn, the locales are exotic (but still believable), and the action continual. Destined for one disaster after another, Cija is a memorable and ultimately likeable protagonist. So interested reader, get thee to a library or second-hand bookstore and buy the whole series!

I'm not objective - this is my fav book. It's dense, packed with ideas you've never heard of before, funny, irreverant yet captivating. The characters are the most complex I've encountered. The book makes you feel and think and laugh.

For sci-fi buffs, this is one of the best. The visual imagery is wonderful and the plot entertaining. Granted it was written a while back, but it's a keeper.