In the conclusion to her series devoted to Merlin's descendants (Guardian of the Vision, etc.), Radford's adroit mix of dark fantasy and Elizabethan politics, involving the complicated rivalries among the English, Scottish, French and Spanish, continues to entertain. Still in love with Mary Queen of Scots, Donovan Kirkwood must tread a delicate balance between his desire to free the imprisoned Mary and his loyalty to Queen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Donovan's niece Deidre and son Hal travel to Paris to try to rescue the city's Protestants from the depredations of El Lobison, the sadistic Master of Wolves. The cruel Spaniard captures Hal and turns him into a werewolf; but first, in a scene not for the squeamish, El Lobison
torments Hal by killing his faithful dog, Helwriaeth. ("The Master of Wolves nearly chortled as he turned his wicked blade and hook to butchering Helwriaeth.") Years later, Donovan's daughter Betsy starts to embrace the darker side of magic in an effort to cement her claim to the title Pendragon. However, it is Deidre who in the final battle assumes the Pendragon mantle to challenge the enemy in England's time of greatest need. Fans of ingenious twists on the Merlin legends, if not animal lovers, should be well pleased. Agent, Carol McCleary of the Wilshire Literary Agency. (Apr. 1)
