"Torren dreamed...On the one side were weathered hand, the hands of Lander farmers...The others belonged to young and old Flyers...Each side wanted him; neither would give him up. And excruciatingly, they were tearing him in two."

Haunted by this and similarly torturing dreams, Torren travels to obtain a mercenary position that will offer some security and peace. But his rescue of a hunted orphan, Larana, seems to enfold both of them in a desperate battle between the earthly Landers and several vying groups with the Flyers. The latter are the Chosen, creations of supposed perfection who possess superhuman powers dedicated to virtuous living. But some have demonstrated their all-too-human frailties and are determined to use their power to destroy their opponents, Flyers and Landers.

Torren and Larana have a set place in this power struggle which they only discover throughout their struggles and battles in the deepening conflict. What is remarkable to enjoy in this novel is the transformation Torren undergoes because of Larana's unusual personality, fearful yet strong, dependent yet independent, distant yet loving. She truly is the Vassal of El, who never forgot the kindness humans could demonstrate and whose followers focused on "what it was to hope, to love, to dream".

Gloria Oliver has created another fine fantasy novel (like her first novel In Service of the Samurai) which quickly engages and holds the reader's hunger for the resolution of love conquering evil.

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on June 20, 2004

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