I have discovered something wonderful about doing something even as small as Sabledrake -- people send me cool stuff to read! Not only the fabulous fiction submissions for each new issue, but now, actual books to review as well! To someone like myself, who not only reads a lot but reads fast, my budget can't keep up with my need (and yes, I know, libraries are great, but more often than not, I want to keep the books I read).

So I was delighted when, a little while ago, a package arrived with a review copy of Kim Bundy's debut novel, The Death of Jabari. It is a fascinating tale of the end of a life that was once mortal and is now something more, and how the dying of that one individual holds an entire world hostage to an uncertain future.

The cover promises sci-fi, the back cover text promises fantasy, and the book itself proves to be an intriguing blend of both. I've been a lifelong fan of Greek mythology, in which the gods are people too, people with their own goals, desires, and foibles. That's the sort of thing that I found in this pantheon, gods that were once regular folks, and even millennia later haven't gotten used to their power . . . or their responsibility.

And now one of them is dying. Jabari, who gave his life in a different-than-usually-accepted sense to save the world, is fading fast. An ancient prophecy tells of how a replacement can be found.

Now, normally, I have a peeve about prophecy novels. It's just me (apparently only just me, as the megalithic success of Robert Jordan can attest). And in this book, I was apprehensive that I'd find the same sorts of things that tend to irk me -- one doofus who has no clue, yet is destined to save all creation no matter how much he screws up.

Elingor, called the child of power, starts off as just such a character. But just as I was beginning to grumble with my own inner gripe, along came a lovely twist that left me both relieved and pleased. Not gonna spill it here; you'll have to read the book to see.

Elingor is joined by a host of other fun characters. The world is peopled by humans and the traditional fantasy races (Elingor himself is elven), and also by anthropomorphs of all varieties, sure to please the furry-philes out there. Especially Tulaan, a felinoid priest trying to make sense of the prophecy while also keeping Elingor under control and out of trouble. Tulaan and the feisty privateer Katja are my personal favorites.

It may seem weird, but one of the highest compliments I can think of for any fictional setting is "ooh, this has good potential for a game." Can't help it; I was a gamer before I was a writer and it basically rules my life. And as I was reading The Death of Jabari, I found myself thinking that more than once. I wanted to see more of the world and the races, the culture, the history, the background. To see it fleshed out.

Happily, I understand that Kim Bundy is planning both a prequel and a sequel, once she finishes some other projects, so hopefully that wish will be granted soon!

-- reviewed by Christine Morgan, May, 2001

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