Cherryh, C.J.
THE DREAMSTONE
C. J. Cherryh
DAW 1983
PB 192pgs
ISBN# 0-87997-808-2
With the death of the King, the world is in flux: his enemies prosper and his
supporters live furtive lives. Hidden away is a child, a prince, who will one
day reclaim his father's throne. On the edge of this world is a wood, the
Ealdwood, a magical place that most avoid. Here lives Arafel, the last of the
Sidhe (Elves), tending her wood and avoiding the world of Man. But will it avoid
her? For when push comes to shove Arafel has the means and the might to act, but
can Man cope with the debt they'll accrue by calling for her help?
This is a dynamite if somewhat melancholy fantasy. Author Cherryh waxes in a
poetic cadence (her language alone is worth the price of admission) her story of
the last Sidhe, Arafel and her sad, lonely existence. This is not to imply there
isn't elements of hope or redemption in the story, but the weight of lonely
years weighs heavily on Arafel and loss permeates the pages of her life.
Overall a fine story.
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