Thornlost by Melanie Rawn

Touchstone  was the first book in this thought provoking series, Elsewhens is the second.  I was under the erroneous assumption that this was a trilogy. Unless Ms. Rawn wants to leave us all hang as David Weber did with  there will be at least another book.   This is a behind the scenes look at theatrical production powered not by animation but magic.   Touchstone, a group of four, has made a name for themselves as well as acquiring some serious enemies.

Precognition would be another description for one of Cayden Silversun's erratic magical abilities.   The nature of this ability escapes both Cayden and often the reader.   Mieka, his volatile elf like sidekick curbs some of his normal drug enhanced frivolity in this book.  The use of thorn is akin to the abuse of a variety of drugs.   Thorn seems to be more tailored for individuals and their genealogy which does not negate the fact that it appears to be an addiction.

Political intrigue continues in this book.   Vampirism is introduced.  Women's rights continue to be a major subtheme of the book.   Black Lightning's performances include targeted magic that appears to promote racial discrimination off a type that is similar to the Hitler racial purity concepts.   In this case racial isn't based on color but on whether goblin, elf, human, wizard, troll or giant rules your gemological background.

It seems that although Cayden postulates that theater can change society, he is shocked to discover it happening.  The interpersonal relationships between a rather large cast of characters fuels a major chunk of the prose.

The book is more thought provoking than action prone.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.melanierawn.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.