The Griffin or the Agate

Three times.
     That's how many times I stopped reading during the first hundred pages or so of Threshold to check the name on the cover. Yep. Sara Douglass, perpetrator of the less-than-impressive Hades Daughter. Something was markedly different here, though.
     This book was good. Very good, even, until it started to unravel a bit at the end. It was as if two entirely different authors had penned the tomes. Most confusing, but certainly much more enjoyable from the viewpoint of this reader.
     The key question, of course, is why was it better, especially since Threshold was written before Hades Daughter. Both books feature seriously flawed characters behaving like sociopaths. Both use rape as the basis for a relationship (what's going on with that?). Could it be because Threshold has a driving plot, a central foe to battle, and interpersonal relationships between people who aren't over-the-top selfish cartoon characters? Could be . . .
     Tirzah, a young glassworker with a gift, is sold into slavery, along with her father, to cover his gambling debts. Ending up far to the south of her homeland she finds herself using her skills along with thousands of others toward the creation of Threshold, a giant pyramid whose purpose is known only to the cruel and mysterious Magi. As Tirzah toils she learns that her ability with glass is actually magical in nature and that she might well be an Elemental Cantomancer. Her powers let her see that the creation of Threshold is wrong and dangerous, but before she and her comrades can strike Tirzah catches the eye of the head of the Magi, Boaz. In addition to preparing for whatever horror Threshold may offer up now the glassworker must strive to keep Boaz happy. But is he really the cruel master he appears to be? Or could he be her one hope for salvation?
     After some very interesting twists and turns Threshold missteps and the end and veers into romance novel territory, but not enough to ruin the experience. After suffering through Hades Daughter I wondered why Tor had bothered to bring works by the Australian Douglass to the Northern Hemisphere - after Threshold I understand.   §

Purchase this title through:
   Amazon.com