The main character in Emissary is Hyam, just turned 21, who honor’s his mother’s last request to visit the Long Hall, home of wizards, home of his father, and his despised home for five years as a young teen. The Mistress of the Hall tells Hyam very disturbing facts and hints about his ancestry.
The novel could have taken several paths, pure fantasy with quests and wars, coming of age as Hyam learns about himself, quasi-medieval romance adventure. Author Thomas Locke did an excellent job at merging all of these into a novel with plenty of magic and fantasy elements that centers on a young man who must put aside his frustrations at wanting to know who and what he is in order that he can protect his land and people from sorcery.
This theme of self-sacrifice recurs throughout the novel in subtle ways. Hyam’s wife puts aside her worries to present him with a serene and happy face while he recovers from a magical attack. The current Oberon lord puts aside his claim to the throne in order to prevent war, then retires to a small fortress and lets his name slide into obscurity. The wizard master Trace gives up his leader role to follow Hyam. The elves and Ashanta give up their seclusion to aid the people fighting the sorcerers.
This undercurrent of sacrifice and adult decisions makes Emissary a serious novel, an excellent, enjoyable story about magic, yearning, romance, and war, meant for adults.
4+ Stars
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