Reviews: Melanie Rawn

Dragon Prince trilogy:
Dragon Prince (1988); The Star Scroll (1989); Sun Runner's Fire (1990)
Dragon Star:
Stronghold (1991);
The Dragon Token (1992);
Skybowl (1993)

Exiles:
The Ruins of Ambrai (1994); The Mageborn Traitor (1997)

The Exiles Trilogy is set on the world of Lenfell where two warring traditions of magelore (Malerris and Mage Guardian) continue their rivalry following a cataclysm generations before. Three daughters are born into this with their destinies already mapped out. The eldest Glenin follows her father into Malerris tradition. The middle Sarra goes on to be a leader in the Rising. The youngest Cailet inherits the bequest of Mage Captal in direct oppostion to her oldest sister, First Lady of Malerris.

Underlying all of this is a society in which inheritence, power and money follow the matriarchal lineage. Men can go as far as their dowry or looks will take them. This is all subtly woven into the background of an entrancing story; in other words Melanie never hits you over the head with it. Demonstrating that true equality is not simply reversing the roles so that women are on top.

hTis story captured my interest because of the powerful female characters and the internal struggles they endure relating to the power structure of their world. Enticing as a world with women in the dominant role may be, this story demonstrates how this can cage the soul all the same.

-- ip, 7/97