Veil
Veil
Officially, this had been a trading trip. We’d paddled up the inlet to Ingdanrad, a settlement built deep in the mountains by itherans, the immigrants who settled in our lands. Their mages had dug underground homes, workshops, even a university where they studied everything from theology to metallurgy. Above ground, fields of golden barley rose up the settlement’s terraced slopes.
Everyone on this trip was used to dealing with itherans—I spoke fluent Coast Trader and decent Sverbian—but half the people in Ingdanrad spoke neither. We’d haggled by pointing and occasionally laughing at offers. I’d been glad of Dunehein’s presence then. No one wanted to challenge me with a burned, tattooed man the size of a grizzly at my side.
Now, finally we were returning to Toel Ginu, bringing something more valuable than the coins in my purse, more dangerous than the steel blades under my canoe seat. Our real goal had been information on Suriel, the last known air spirit. Why he’d been silent while his human soldiers, the Corvittai mutinied and attacked us earlier that summer. Where he’d been since then. If any humans still followed him.
With a setting that at times is very remindful of the northwest coast of North America, with a large number of tribes of indigenous folk, and various encroaching colonial outsiders from different nations, the author blends in the elements of fantasy, complete with shape-shifting magic, warring mages, and an ancient and powerful wind spirit Suriel attempting to tear a rift in the veil between worlds. Veil is the second volume in “The Call of the Rift” quintet. The main protagonist is Kateiko Rin, a teenage warrior and water-caller, who is trying to prevent what she believes will be a disaster. There is the latest love interest, Airedain from a different tribe, and a vast cast of characters and locations.
With the story being told by Kateiko, readers follow her complicated adventures through forest and busy settlements. Her tribe has been reduced by warfare, and she is often on her own as she tries to navigate the various allegiances in her search for the elusive Suriel. Kateiko often must seem to change sides as she attempts to stop the opening of the rift. After several battles and travels by canoe and sailing vessel, she finally locates Suriel and pretends to join him. By this time, she has been cast out by her tribe and has lost several friends. The climax comes as a black powder explosion, intended to tear open the rift, causes an avalanche. By the end of this chapter, the love of her life is dead along with several friends, and the rift is open wide. Kateiko passes through in pursuit of Suriel.
Veil opens with a double-page map titled “Kateiko Rin’s Travels in Anwen Bel and Surrounding Lands” and a single page map of “Caladhea City of White Sails and Disputed Capital of Eremur circa 620-630”. As I had not read the first book, Flight, I had to refer to the maps on several occasions to orient myself, and I also found many of the complicated names and references confusing. The book could have used a character biography to help readers keep the players straight. A forward or some early commentary on what had gone on in Flight would also be helpful.
Well-written, Veil, a complicated tale, would be enjoyed by those readers interested in adventure with magic, shape-shifting (Kateiko can turn into a wolf) and warriors riding on large birds. Weapons range from knives and spears to crossbows and muskets. Travel includes by horse, snowshoe, canoe, and sailing vessel.
Ronald Hore, involved with writer’s groups for several years, dabbles in writing fantasy and science fiction in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the pen name R. J. Hore.