Kered's Call, by Kaaren Sutcliffe

Taking a deep breath, Kered thought ‘I’m safe!’ It was en eternity since he’d felt safe. Out of the window, the blue sky held the promise of a beautiful day. Far below him, verdant lawns twinkling with morning dew rolled away from the palace walls. The flowers coyly unfolded their petals, and hints of scents wafted past on the breeze.

Having witnessed the horrific deaths of his parents and the invasion of his land, Tanaria, Kered has been rescued by a magical chameleon and Shouffa, a desert dweller. Now, at last, he is safe in Ateppa, the home of his Uncle Gonov. Surely Gonov will know what to do to free Tanaria.

But he is not as safe as he thinks. Gonov sees an opportunity to take over the rule of Tanaria, and Gonov’s daughter, Mirayla, has her own designs on him. Kered and his friends flee once more. Now it is up to Kered to find the means to free his people and take the throne that is rightfully his.

Overshadowing all of his actions is an ancient prophecy which casts Kered in the role of saviour of all the realms from a terrible enemy. Kered, though, must accept his own strengths and limitations, if he is to fulfil his destiny.

This is the second book in the Prophecy of the Sharid trilogy. Like the first, it has plenty of action, a well-woven fantasy setting and many twists and turns. The character of Kered, damaged by his experiences in the first book, develops nicely in this instalment, as he explores issues of trust and friendship and learns to confront his fears.

Action, danger, fantastic settings, magic, wild and wonderful creatures – in fact all of the elements of a gripping fantasy are here for readers to soak up.

Superb.

Kered’s Call, by Kaaren Sutcliffe
Loranda Publishing, 2004