Synopsis
Margaret of Ashbury, a witch and healer, begins a perilous journey to rescue the love of her life, who is imprisoned in the dungeon of a castle high in the Pyrenees. Reprint. PW. K.
Reviews
YA-- Margaret, the recently kidnapped bride of Gregory, a chronicler who accompanies his lord to record events of the Hundred Years War, becomes a chronicler herself, narrating the story of the growing love between the two. This novel is also an adventure story; she and her friends (assisted by two ghosts) must rescue Gregory from a dungeon. The title relates to the code the alchemists use in their quest to change metal to gold. Their trickery aides Margaret and provides an added dimension to the detailed picture of the Middle Ages. Elements of comedy are included as her in-laws try to achieve social status through wealth. Vivid character traits--evil, crude, shrewd, funny, caring--bring history to life in this entertaining tale.
- Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Picking up threads from her first novel, A Vision of Light , Riley deftly crafts another historical romp, following Margaret of Ashbury through a tumultuous remarriage and a hazardous quest across 14th-century Europe. Considered past her prime at 23, Margaret has been forced to wed the scholarly, noble Gregory de Vilers. Although repelled by his odious father, Sir Hubert, and loathsome brother, Sir Hugo, Margaret nonetheless grows to love her new husband. When he is captured in France and held for ransom, she quickly leaves her unscrupulous relatives to negotiate Gregory's release. Margaret, who has uncanny healing abilities and can commune with spirits, travels with amulets, ghosts and a devious alchemist, whose quest for the secret of changing base metals into gold will plunge the pair into precarious situations. In this nonstop picaresque adventure quips fly as thickly as a barrage of arrows; a steady stream of drunken noblemen, corrupt priests, scheming ladies and truculent ghosts keep the action white-hot. BOMC and QPB featured alternates.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A sequel to A Vision of Light ( LJ 1/89), this novel continues the story of spunky Margaret, widowed once again and married to acerbic scholar Gregory who rescues her from her former husband's rapacious relatives only to plunge her into the midst of his own family's greedy machinations to control her wealth. The eternal wars of the 14th century beckon, however, and Gregory, now a knight in the Duke of Lancaster's forces in France, is captured. Margaret, accompanied by wise Mother Hilde and alchemist Brother Malachi journeys to the stronghold of the sinister Count of St. Medard, where once again her unusual powers and quick wit overcome the forces of evil. Painting the same rich panoply of humanity, high adventure, ghostly visitation, and eccentric, lovable characters as its precursor, this makes for delightful reading though it lacks the larger vision of the first book. BOMC and Quality Paperback alternates.
- Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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