Title: Ombria in Shadow
Author: Patricia A. McKillip
First published January 17, 2002
298 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780441008957 (ISBN10: 044100895X)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
In the land of Ombria, power is everything. As the Prince lies dying, his great-aunt, Domina Pearl, seizes control, leaving his young heir and powerless nephew at her mercy.
The decaying city offers no hope for salvation, but beneath the streets lies a secret world of ghosts and magic. A powerful sorceress and her waxen creation inhabit this shadow Ombria, but danger lurks in the form of the Black Pearl.
As allegiances shift and unlikely alliances form, the fate of Ombria rests in the hands of those who dare to defy the ruling powers. Patricia A.
McKillip weaves a tale of intrigue and adventure that ranks her among the great fantasists of this century and the last.
About the Author
Patricia Anne McKillip, an American author, is known for her beautifully crafted fantasy and science fiction novels that pay careful attention to detail and characterization. She has been recognized for her work, having received both the World Fantasy Award and Locus Award.
Currently residing in Oregon with her husband, David Lunde, a poet, most of her recent novels feature cover art by Kinuko Y. Craft.
McKillip’s upbringing was varied, having lived in Oregon, England, and Germany. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1971 and her Master of Arts in 1973 from San Jose State University.
Her stories are typically set in a medieval-like world, featuring forests, castles, lords or kings, minstrels, tinkers, and wizards. Her characters often find themselves in situations involving unexplainable powers, and many do not even know their own lineage.
Music often plays a significant role in her stories, and love among family members is an important theme, even when they do not always see eye to eye.
Editoral Review
Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip is a spellbinding fantasy novel that masterfully combines elements of mystery, magic, and intrigue.
With a poetic prose that is both lyrical and evocative, McKillip creates a richly detailed world that is filled with vivid descriptions of fantastical creatures, shadowy alleys, and enchanted gardens. As a prolific author of fantasy and science fiction, McKillip has won numerous awards for her writing, including the World Fantasy Award, the Mythopoeic Award, and the Bram Stoker Award.
The story takes place in the city of Ombria, a place of secrets and shadows where nothing is quite what it seems. When the powerful Duke of Ombria dies mysteriously, his illegitimate son, Byron, is thrust into a world of court intrigue and dangerous magic.
As he sets out to unravel the mystery of his father’s death, he becomes embroiled in a web of political machinations and personal vendettas that threaten to consume him. Meanwhile, in the shadowy alleys of Ombria, a young street urchin named Lydea discovers that she possesses a unique ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead.
When she is hired by a powerful sorceress to spy on the Duke’s court, she finds herself drawn into a world of magic and danger that she never could have imagined. As the two main characters navigate the complex relationships and hidden agendas of Ombria’s ruling elite, they come to realize that the city itself is alive with a dark and powerful magic that is both beautiful and frightening.
With its intricate plot and memorable characters, Ombria in Shadow is a remarkable achievement in the genre of fantasy literature. One of the greatest strengths of Ombria in Shadow is the quality of McKillip’s writing.
Her prose is poetic and evocative, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of Ombria. The city itself becomes a character in the novel, a living, breathing entity that is both enchanting and ominous.
McKillip’s attention to detail is impressive, and her ability to create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense is unparalleled. Another strength of the novel is the depth of character development.
Both Byron and Lydea are complex, multi-dimensional characters with their own moral ambiguities and personal struggles. McKillip does an excellent job of showing how their experiences shape their beliefs and attitudes, and how they are forced to confront their own limitations and prejudices in order to survive.
The pacing of the novel is also excellent, with a perfectly calibrated balance between suspense, action, and introspection. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, keeping the reader engaged and invested in the outcome.
Even minor characters are given a depth and complexity that adds to the richness of the story. One minor weakness of the novel is that some readers may find the complex plot and large cast of characters to be somewhat overwhelming.
However, for those who enjoy a challenging and intricate plot, this should not be a significant deterrent. Overall, Ombria in Shadow is an outstanding work of fantasy literature that deserves to be read and appreciated by a wide audience.
McKillip’s writing is nothing short of masterful, and her ability to create an immersive, richly detailed world is truly remarkable. If you enjoy fantasy novels that are both beautiful and haunting, then Ombria in Shadow is definitely a book that you should add to your reading list.
Score: 9/10.
