After resting dormant for forty years the demon infested, oddly sentient forest of Alisanos awoke and shifted its boarders with disastrous consequences for the unfortunate humans camped in and around the karavan settlement. Audrun accompanied by husband Davyn and their four children were travelers intent upon following a seers instructions regarding the birth of their fifth child due in four months. Like many, they were caught in the frenzied storm that heralded the forest’s movement which tore the family apart, leaving all but Davyn caught in the deepwood of Alisanos. Half-human, half-god, Rhuan has taken on the role of protector for Audrun and her daughter Sarith, born full term despite being four months premature, evidence Alisanos has begun changing the humans. Audrun’s other children also find themselves lost in the deepwood where they each come under the protection of different creatures of the changeable forest while learning about its terrors.
Meanwhile, in the human world Davyn becomes obsessed with placing all blame for the loss of his family upon Rhuan’s shoulders thus setting up what is certain to be a heated showdown in the sequel. Rhuan’s half-brother, Brodhi, unhappy at having to spend time in the human world offers grudging assistance when called upon but prefers to contemplate the day when he will become a god like their sire. Jorda the karavan master and Mikal the local tavern owner work with Bethid, a courier to begin rebuilding their community into something that can withstand the mercurial forest while laying the groundwork for an uprising against their Hecari oppressors. As the result of a fall, Ilona, Jorda’s diviner broke her arm and for the first time in her life, she has no gift at a time when the entire settlement needs it most. Instead, she slips into dreams that make no sense yet she knows are vitally important. Nothing is certain when dealing with Alisanos and its many inhabitants, especially the future as Audrun struggles to locate her children.
With well-developed characters and a wealth of unusual adversaries, this is a nice follow-up to Karavans. Overall, this is a well told, complex story although it is clearly the middle volume of a much longer tale. With the many subplots remaining unresolved at the end, one wishes more resolution were provided to make waiting for the sequel a bit easier to take.
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