The Lunari Mask/Sabre Dance

The Lunari Mask by Laura J. Underwood

The normally calm life of Granny Peg and her great granddaughter Moreen is disturbed when the pirate Blackwater invades the Moon Isles and steals the Lunari Mask. Both Granny and Blackwater know of the legend of the Lunari Mask, but neither realize the evil that actually lurks within. Eric Brenwold is out for revenge. He’s after Blackwater for killing his best friend. Mageborn, Blood Mage and Granny Peg all combine to contrive a high sea adventure. It’s time for Granny to kick pirate butt to keep an ancient evil from rising.

Laura J. Underwood has created a story that is interesting, exciting and funny at the same time. She has created characters that leap from the pages. Granny Peg will remind the reader somewhat of Nanny Ogg from the Discworld series and there is a hint of the Pirates of the Caribbean too. It’s a heady mix with enough darkness to give the reader a few shivers too. This reviewer enjoyed this story very much and couldn’t put it down until the last word. This reviewer needs to check out Ms. Underwood’s backlist.

Sabre Dance by Melanie Fletcher

Sergeant Adrienne Roche is a member of the Queen’s Guard. She knew that her position could take her to strange lands but she never dreamed that she’d go there in a belly dancer’s costume. Adrienne is sent to infiltrate the Caliph of Magli’s palace to rescue Duchess Margrethe de Charleroi, third in line to the throne of Lills before she can be married to Prince Samir. Things get complicated by a scheming vizier, a young dancer who is driven by her father’s gambling debt and a troupe mistress who expects Adrienne to perform.

This is a rollicking fun fantasy story that takes “The Arabian Nights” to new levels. Ms. Fletcher’s characters are fun and witty. Adrienne sometimes has trouble hiding her solder’s persona among the veils and feminine attributes of a belly dancer and more than once her cover is almost blown. This reviewer spent a wonderful afternoon reading this story and enjoyed every minute of it. This is another author that this reviewer needs to check up on. This reviewer highly recommends this book for lovers of fantasy that has a touch of humor to it.

March 2008