Bridge of Dreams

by Chaz Brenchley

Ace, 409 pp, $24.95

Bridge of Dreams is the first volume of a new series by the author of the Outremer series.

For a thousand years, the city of Sund stood independently, withstanding the Marisi,.but the Marisi used black sorcery to build a bridge over the walls that poisons all in its shadows. Now called Marisi-Sund, Magic is outlawed in the former nation of water mages. The populace is ground into poverty and fear. A few would rebel as one of the few remaining water mages teaches an underground school. Issal, a poor water seller and thief is found and recruited to the school

In Maris, Jendre is the daughter of a general, married to the Sultan, but he is injured soon after their wedding night. She manages to save him. But he is poisoned and Jendre is a threat to the new ruler.

In this first volume, the two stories run parallel and set us up for changes to come. If Brenchley’s characters were not so compelling, his world so complete, one could cavil at the open endings, Instead the reader is anxiously awaiting the next volume to see what’s coming . If you liked the Outremer series, you have to read this. - Pam Allan