Dr. Christopher "Chris" McCabe has been disenchanted with his residency lately and has shared his doubts with his roommate Elijah. He's worried that medicine isn't the field for him; the HMOs make it so hard to be a doctor vs. an assembly line worker. On a lark he decides to answer a vague ad in a newspaper that is looking for an "independent self-starter." When he meets the man behind the ad he is treated to an amazing tale of magic, other worlds, and treachery. His 'job' would be to take the place of a duke of Myrridia and to help ensure his safety. Chris has a hard time believing him, but when he shows Chris a glimmer of the magical power he holds; what can Chris do but believe. He asks for a week to decide and goes home. Chris and Elijah are best friends, almost brothers, so when faced with an offer of this magnitude, Chris asks his counsel.
Elijah can't understand why a smart man like Chris would even be considering the words of a lunatic and does all he can to dissuade Chris from returning to Boston to see this Edward character. The two men decide that if Chris takes the job, he's not going alone. Chris agrees to the job and plans are made for him to meet Edward in Myrridia in one month's time. Feeling that Edward is holding back information on his mission, Chris decides not to tell him that Elijah will be coming with.
When the two men arrive in Myrridia they find themselves thrust into parts that neither of them were ready to play. Edward is with the King and has left their training to Helen, the wife of the duke Christopher was to impersonate. Things have changed beyond the powers of Edward and Chris and Elijah must depend on themselves, Helen, and a sullen prince to keep them out of harm's way and hopefully to find a way to happiness for everyone involved.
I have never read a more imaginative piece of work. The different plotlines throughout this book are woven into a tight story that grabs you and will not let you go. The characters were so well-written and the scenery complimented them as well. Watching the Myrridians interact with Chris and Elijah was a treat. I read this book in one sitting and was surprised to look up and see my living room there; I fully expected to be in the realm of Myrridia myself. I hope that there will be many more books in this series and have already gifted a few friends with copies of this book.
Serena Polheber, reviewer, gottawritenetwork.com
February 21, 2006
copyright SP & GWN
