Told in the first person point of view of an almost priest who grew disillusioned with the process and quit, The Eye of Night by Sapphire award winner Pauline J. Alama is a carefully plotted, understated work of fantasy fiction. A subtle but influential dash of romance adds a flavor to the text that is as tasty as bean soup.

After wandering across the land for some time, Jereth takes shelter for a night in Kelgarran Hall during a festival where all petitioners are fed, bathed and given a room. He meets two ladies that night, the beauteous Lady Trenara and her disfigured maid Hwyn, who seems to be a simpleton. But perhaps she is not as simple as she seems.

That night, Jereth becomes embroiled in the adventure of his lifetime when he runs across Hwyn stealing a magical jewel called the Eye of Night from the owner of the castle who has been using it for ill purposes. He, Hwyn and Trenara, who is the true simpleton, flee when the Seven Slaughtered Brothers are released from their captivity in the stone and raze the castle and surroundings. These events take place because Hwyn has been called in a vision to transport the Eye to the northernmost reaches of the land. She does not know why or how, but she knows she must obey. Jereth signs on as the protector of this lady and her companion.

The majority of the book is a travel adventure as the three wanderers make their way through towns, inns, and even jails, finding both aid and trouble from local peoples. Yet always they make their way north, driven by Hwyn’s quest with the Eye of Night. The magic of the stone complicates their mission, leaving a reader wondering if the magic stems from Hwyn or the stone at times.

As they travel, both of these wounded characters learn to trust as they support each other and slowly fall in love. The growth of the relationship is subtle yet very important because it keeps Jereth following Hwyn wherever she leads.

Since these are not conventional fantasy novel characters, it adds interest to the storytelling and shakes things out of the traditional mold somewhat. The text is well-written with a solid building of suspense and relationship drama. The protagonists are likeable and realistic, and this reader enjoyed their caring rapport. It was especially poignant that Jereth is so protective of the women even though he is, well, kind of a wimp. Yet he realizes Hwyn is part of a larger cause and latches onto it, helping as best he can.

On the downside, some readers might find the book slow paced. This was not a book I would call an epic with larger than life heroes and heroines and fireworks and stupendous events galore. The suspense does build, but it builds gradually, and a few times I wished the narrative would get past one hump or another more swiftly.

All in all, I recommend this novel, but don’t go into it expecting a quick read.

Our thanks to the Science Fiction Romance newsletter and editor Jody Wallace for allowing us to reprint this review. This review originally appeared in their October 2002 issue.