The war between the Dark Heart and the Bright Heart has been
raging since the start of the world, and many warriors have
fought and died on both sides; but among those who serve
Lernan and stand against the darkness, Erin, half-mortal
great-granddaughter of the Bright Heart, is unique. Warrior
and healer, her nature is conflicted, for she feels the pain
of ally and enemy alike; and though she is called to heal
pain where she finds it, she is unable to tap her true
potential save when her life is in peril.
Nonetheless, when the First Servant of Lernan bestows upon
her the office of Sarillorn, sole vessel of the god's power,
Erin accepts. She cannot know that even the First of Lernan
pities the path Erin must walk: She is captured by
Stefanos, First Servant of the Enemy, a being who derives
power from the pain of the victims he tortures. Mystified
as to why Stefanos continues to leave her alive, she
gradually learns more than she wishes about the immortal man
who is slowly engulfing the world in darkness. Taken into
the heart of the dark city of Rennath, she sees the evil
delivered by Stefanos' hand. Nonetheless, Erin fears for
the conquered slaves, not for herself -- except when she is
in Stefanos' presence, for she is drawn to him despite the
darkness at his core... or, perhaps, because of it. As time
passes, Erin begins to learn of the light within the heart
of darkness... and of the darkness within the light.
This re-publication of Mrs. West's first novel is a
particularly interesting read for those familiar with her
later works. The beginnings of the rich, complex style seen
in her Sun Sword series are evident in Into the Dark
Lands,
as well as her thematic exploration of the blurred line
between good and evil. Although her style has clearly
matured over the years, readers will find little with which
to take umbrage in this "younger" work of literature.
Though Erin, as a heroine, is less moving than she might be,
the story in which she is caught up is sufficiently
intriguing to make up for any awkwardness on the part of
Erin's character. Stefanos is far more compelling, and
masterfully presented to be both protagonist and antagonist
simultaneously.
Be warned: This is not a light read, and Mrs. West does not
pull punches. The world she paints is a harsh one, and the
tone of this book is very dark. However, in keeping with
its theme, the darkness is not unmitigated, and the final
pages mingle hope with dread. It is a recipe sure to bring
readers back for the second and third installation of the
trilogy.
A gifted healer and fierce warrior, Erin has been a Servant
of the Bright Heart her entire life, fighting for millennia
against the enemies of her people, the Servants of the Dark
Heart. After she has a life-altering vision that reveals
that the end of the world is quickly approaching, Erin is
chosen to be the champion of Light--and the enemy of
Darkness. Embarking on a difficult journey into the
stronghold of the Dark Heart, Erin discovers that no magical
sword can save her, and hers is no simple quest. An epic
battle begins here, with her personal struggle upon which
the fate of a world rests.
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