History is written by the victors, or so we're told. However, award winning writer Pamela Freeman, author of the 'Floramonde' series of children's books, has changed all that. In 'Blood Ties,' first novel of 'The Castings' trilogy, the conquered and dispossessed also have a say. Including the ghosts. In an unusual twist, the author has chosen to recruit the shades of the dead as active participants in her first adult oriented publication.

All of Freeman's characters possess great depth and credibility. They live and breathe on the page. It is impossible not to react to their enthusiasms and dilemmas. I defy any reader to remain unaffected by the description of Thorn's death:

"The roan's breath became harsh, settling into the death rattle that meant the end was coming. Bramble put her head down on his to share every shake and shudder."

Review by Jan Napier

Maggie Furey. Heritage of the Xandim. London, Gollancz, 2009.

Maggie Furey's prequel to her well known Aurian series, begins, as do so many matters of great import, with a prophecy. The Lady Of The Mist is vouchsafed a vision. "Three women born when the moon was concealed by the shadow of the sun, would hold the future of the world in their hands, to be lost or saved..."