THE BELLY OF THE WOLF

Living in exile with his daughter, Nazhuret learns of King Rudof's death and journeys back to his homeland to intercede in a rebellion led by an old rival

YA?The "Lens of the World" is Nazhuret, the half-breed orphan of two nobilities whose separateness enables him to bring the world's realities into a clear focus. In this book, readers discover that they have been trespassing on Nazhuret's privacy; the earlier two volumes in the trilogy have been published without his permission, and their power has gained him unwanted followers. With the death of his great friend, King Rudof, Nazhuret finds himself unwillingly drawn into the struggle for power being fought in the name of a philosophy he disavows, but which is inextricably linked to him. Combat, flight, assassinations, duels, and wilderness survivals crowd the plot, but despite the action, this is a thoughtful book. Nazhuret finds himself reflecting not only on his existence and its meaning, but also on his inner self. It is a moving and fascinating culmination to the life of the hero we have watched mature. However, this reflective point of view probably makes this volume the least accessible to a YA audience. As with the earlier titles, there is a wonderful synergy between the prose style and the creation of the character of Nazhuret. His "voice" becomes yet more personal and more effective in drawing readers to his unique perspective. Two terrific supporting characters, Nazhuret's daughter, Nahveh, and the painter-duelist Count Dinaos provide a piquant contrast. As in the past, Nazhuret takes readers on an exhilarating journey; but this time, his quest takes them to an inner destination.?Cathy Chauvette, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

MacAvoy concludes what may be one of the best fantasy series of the decade with this follow-up to her Lens of the World and King of the Dead. Here Nazhuret, unwilling warrior-philosopher who seems unable to avoid political intrigue, has grown old, living with his daughter Nahvah (herself an accomplished fighter) and poignant memories of his deceased wife. News comes of the death of Nazhuret's long-time friend King Rudof, ruler of his native Velonya, and of the strife which has ensued as patriotic rebels refuse to recognize Rudof's son Benar as the new king. Inspired by bastardized versions of Nazhuret's own philosophies, the rebels claim that Benar had a hand in his father's death, and Nazhuret--reluctant as always--sets out to clear things up before Velonya tears itself apart. As in earlier volumes, MacAvoy subverts the heroic fantasy tradition with a languid approach to action and an unusual interest in the depths of character--though there is plenty of swordplay, there is even more of Nazhuret's thoughts--and her prose is graceful, understated and vivid. Anyone who doubts that fantasy can be literary, artistic, thoughtful and genuinely moving need only follow Nazhuret's adventures to learn otherwise.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The multi-talented lensmaker Nazhuret, now living in exile in Canton with his daughter Nahvah, learns that his old friend King Rudof of Velonya is dead--perhaps murdered. As civil war breaks out in Velonya, and nearby Rezhmia threatens to invade Velonya to protect its own interests, Nazhuret and Nahvah journey home, encountering along the way the artist-assassin Count Dinaos, a trio of wolves, and various ghosts; Nahvah becomes attached to Timet, a mountain herder who uses Nazhuret's meditation techniques (per the title) to perform astonishing psychic feats. Intending to kill Benar, the new king, Nazhuret instead becomes convinced of Benar's innocence, and urges him to seek reconciliation with the rebels, led by Jeram the demagogue (whose justification is Nazhuret's own letters and journals) and the fierce old general, Mackim. Quiet, unpretentious, vivid, understated, succinct: an object lesson for other, more verbose fantasists in how to produce more from less, and how to write an appealing and gratifying trilogy by offering a self-contained story each time out. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

The conclusion to the trilogy, Lens of the World, is as effective and unusual as its predecessors. The hero Nazhuret is now aging and a widower living in exile with his daughter. Word comes that his old friend King Rudolf is dead and his native land is in turmoil as a result of factional contention and the new king's inexperience. Nazhuret must make a long and lovingly detailed journey home, initially intending to assassinate the foolish young ruler but effectually ending the civil war. The fantasy elements here are so understated that genre readers with conventional expectations may be disappointed. Nobody else will be. MacAvoy's sense of place, exquisite prose, and first-person narration remain exceptional. She remains, albeit without any fanfare, in the top rank of the American fantasists' roster. Roland Green