The City

Cija returns again, this time back on the mainland. Strangely she finds a family, but things seem to take a turn for the worse when she is kidnapped by ape-men. The most philosophical and peaceful of the tetralogy, with some beautifully portrayed scenes, Cija is again the centre of the story, but her character shows signs of evolution. We see as a mother and an adopted daughter and we appreciate her strength. In an era where a central female character tends to be a big brassy beauty with a gun, it is nice to see a physically weak, childish, endearing character with a love of life. However this beautiful book has moments of magic grandeur and savagery (If you have a fear of crocodiles you might want to flinch away from certain scenes). There is also an unorthodox love story, its sad ending likely to evince a tear. While lesser than THE SERPENT, it is better than ATLAN and is a definite read.

Cija has escaped to the city where she was born, though she does not at first know it. She returns by way of the slave market, where she is sold, and is rescued only to become a slave/whore in a brothel! As usual, she blunders from one danger to the next...There are no adventures like these on this earth, and no adventuress like Cija! She lurches from luxury to the utmost degradation in the space of a gasp. She is a Goddess, a fool, a child, and a mother wrapped in one skin, and is an utterly believable and empathic heroine. As are the other books of this saga, this is sublime fantasy/adventure!