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Isavalta #2
The Usurper's Crown
In a sweeping new epic of breathtaking excitement and adventure, Sarah Zettel, author of A Sorcerer's Treason , tells the enthralling story of a courageous woman from small-town Wisconsin caught up in a maelstrom of empire-shaking politics and sorcerous conspiracy on a dazzling world far removed from our own.
It is 1872. Ingrid Loftfield and her sister Grace are living uneventful lives with their family on Sand Island, Lake Superior, until the day Grace nearly drowns. Grace becomes inexplicably ill, for she has been saved by the spirit of a drowned sailor which rests uneasily beneath the water. Ingrid can only watch as her sister drifts toward death, lured by the restless spirit, until an immegrant Finnish fisherman, Avan, helps Ingrid release Grace from the spell that binds her.
Having rescued her sister, Ingrid herself begins an odyssey stranger than she could imagine. For Avan is not what he's assumed to be. He's Avanasy, a powerful sorcerer who's been banished from another world, Isavalta, where he tutored Medeoan, the princess-heir to the empire until she married a prince of a rival realm. Prince Kacha has won Medeoan's heart, and with the aid of his mentor, a subtle and ambitious sorcerer, plans to win Isavalta, using sweet Medeoan's love and an array of magical means to usurp her crown.
Once Avanasy is gone, Kacha acts swiftly to isolate Medeoan from other allies, and to weave a spell that will weaken her so he can rule in her stead. When Medeoan discovers Kacha's treachery she flees, determined to win back her crown. She can only succeed if Avanasy, her oldest friend and most powerful ally, will return to help her. Because Avanasy loves Ingrid Loftfield and she loves him, together they must cross the vast gulf that separates our world from the magical realm of Isavalta. to rescue Medeoan, and fulfill a destiny far beyond Ingrid's wildest dreams.
It is 1872. Ingrid Loftfield and her sister Grace are living uneventful lives with their family on Sand Island, Lake Superior, until the day Grace nearly drowns. Grace becomes inexplicably ill, for she has been saved by the spirit of a drowned sailor which rests uneasily beneath the water. Ingrid can only watch as her sister drifts toward death, lured by the restless spirit, until an immegrant Finnish fisherman, Avan, helps Ingrid release Grace from the spell that binds her.
Having rescued her sister, Ingrid herself begins an odyssey stranger than she could imagine. For Avan is not what he's assumed to be. He's Avanasy, a powerful sorcerer who's been banished from another world, Isavalta, where he tutored Medeoan, the princess-heir to the empire until she married a prince of a rival realm. Prince Kacha has won Medeoan's heart, and with the aid of his mentor, a subtle and ambitious sorcerer, plans to win Isavalta, using sweet Medeoan's love and an array of magical means to usurp her crown.
Once Avanasy is gone, Kacha acts swiftly to isolate Medeoan from other allies, and to weave a spell that will weaken her so he can rule in her stead. When Medeoan discovers Kacha's treachery she flees, determined to win back her crown. She can only succeed if Avanasy, her oldest friend and most powerful ally, will return to help her. Because Avanasy loves Ingrid Loftfield and she loves him, together they must cross the vast gulf that separates our world from the magical realm of Isavalta. to rescue Medeoan, and fulfill a destiny far beyond Ingrid's wildest dreams.
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zettel
64 books439 followersSarah Zettel is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, spanning the full range of genre fiction. Her debut novel, Reclamation, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her second release, Fool’s War, was a 1997 New York Times Notable Book, and the American Library Association named Playing God one of the Best Books for Young Adults of 1999. Her novel Bitter Angels won the Philip K. Dick Award for best science fiction paperback in 2009. Her latest novel, Dust Girl, was named as one of the best young adult books of the year by both Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association. Zettel lives in Michigan with her husband, her rapidly growing son, and her cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 30, 2015
I read the first book in this series a goodly many years ago, and the second and third have been sitting on my shelf ever since. The second is set before the first, giving the backstory behind Bridget, the protagonist in book one: The Sorcerer's Treason (which I am re-reading now) as such it seems a strange book to have as number #2 in the series. Ultimately, reading them around the other way makes more sense - although perhaps it spoils a few of the twists in the first one? I cannot remember, I shall let you know when I review #1 at a later date.
Usurper's Crown is a massive book - vastly dwarfing the relatively slender book three. All have beautiful covers and are written in deliciously evocative prose. The characters are well described and well developed. The politics are intricate and interesting and the plot seems to be very well thought out. All in all, an excellent piece of political fantasy, which sits well with the likes of Robin Hobb.
Usurper's Crown is a massive book - vastly dwarfing the relatively slender book three. All have beautiful covers and are written in deliciously evocative prose. The characters are well described and well developed. The politics are intricate and interesting and the plot seems to be very well thought out. All in all, an excellent piece of political fantasy, which sits well with the likes of Robin Hobb.
March 2, 2019
9/10 A prequel to the first book of Isavalta. Well-told, with intrigue, romance, war, diplomacy, betrayal, and, of course, magic.
March 3, 2025
Turns out this is the 2nd book but easily read as a standalone.
I did feel the end was a little anticlimactic though.
I did feel the end was a little anticlimactic though.
August 29, 2019
Yet another book that’s been sitting on my bookshelf, unread, for a number of years. Yet another book that turned out to be okay, but certainly not something that I’m ever going to reread or remember as a really great story.
There were some things that this book did very well. I liked most of the main characters, especially Ingrid, and I liked getting some insight into all of the intricate politics and conspiracies that exist in this fictional world. Zettel is particularly adept at creepy imagery, like Kacha’s shriveled hand and eye, the Hung Tse palace that’s full of tortured spirits, and Baba Yaga’s semi-alive house. There’s a particularly creepy subplot at the beginning that involves the ghost of a drowned sailor, which I absolutely loved. For better or worse, that was probably my favorite part of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of The Usurper’s Crown didn’t really ever reach those heights again.
The main plot, which involves High Princess Medeoan and her treacherous husband Kacha, is easy enough to follow for the most part. There are a lot of subplots as well, some of which are much more difficult to follow. At several points, I had to flip back to previous chapters to remind myself of something that had happened previously in one of the subplots. I don’t think that I ever fully understood the conflict between the Vixen and Baba Yaga or the sorcerer Yamuna’s original intentions.
The magic system was frustrating to me because it didn’t seem to follow any rules. The concept of using magic through fabric or rope is an interesting one (it’s done very well in Tamora Pierce’s Circle of Magic series), but there are numerous times in The Usurper's Crown when sorcerers use magic without any thread or rope. The “spells” seemed totally ridiculous to me and added even more to the feeling that Zettel was just making all of this up as she went along. To give you an idea, here is my very own Isavaltan spell: “In the woods of Blahbadooey, there is a tree. In the tree, there are many leaves reaching to the sky. On one leaf, there is a caterpillar. I see the caterpillar. The caterpillar sees me. As I see the caterpillar, allow my sister to be able to see her future husband.”
Okay, this is a slightly exaggerated example (but not as exaggerated as you might think). In any case, you can see why this magic system started to drive me a little crazy. It felt like everything was being made up on the spot and the sorcerers could pretty much do whatever they wanted. Sure, using magic made them tired, but other than that, there didn’t seem to be any clear boundaries or rules that I could see.
I liked the way that Zettel incorporated different cultures and folklore into the creation of her three main fictional countries: Isavalta, Hung Tse, and Hastinapura. I will say, however, that I spent the first half of the book feeling pretty confused about the geography and political relationships in this universe. I think this book would have really benefited from a small map at the beginning. I didn’t even realize that the Heart of the World was a city until one of the characters arrived there.
The final scenes of the book are mostly exciting and dramatic, but the actual ending left a lot to be desired. I wanted to know what fate befell the emperor of Hung Tse and the conniving dowager empress. I wanted to finally find out what Yamuna’s master plan was. I wanted the main villains to come to satisfactorily hard-won deaths. I didn’t get any of those things. Worst of all, I was really disappointed at the final fates that ended up befalling each of the main characters.
I didn’t realize until going to post this review that this book is actually the second book in a series...but actually serves as a prequel to the first book. I’m somewhat interested in what happens to Ingrid’s daughter, but my frustrations with this book’s plot and some of the worldbuilding elements might just be too much for me to ignore. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with Zettel’s Isavalta novels.
There were some things that this book did very well. I liked most of the main characters, especially Ingrid, and I liked getting some insight into all of the intricate politics and conspiracies that exist in this fictional world. Zettel is particularly adept at creepy imagery, like Kacha’s shriveled hand and eye, the Hung Tse palace that’s full of tortured spirits, and Baba Yaga’s semi-alive house. There’s a particularly creepy subplot at the beginning that involves the ghost of a drowned sailor, which I absolutely loved. For better or worse, that was probably my favorite part of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of The Usurper’s Crown didn’t really ever reach those heights again.
The main plot, which involves High Princess Medeoan and her treacherous husband Kacha, is easy enough to follow for the most part. There are a lot of subplots as well, some of which are much more difficult to follow. At several points, I had to flip back to previous chapters to remind myself of something that had happened previously in one of the subplots. I don’t think that I ever fully understood the conflict between the Vixen and Baba Yaga or the sorcerer Yamuna’s original intentions.
The magic system was frustrating to me because it didn’t seem to follow any rules. The concept of using magic through fabric or rope is an interesting one (it’s done very well in Tamora Pierce’s Circle of Magic series), but there are numerous times in The Usurper's Crown when sorcerers use magic without any thread or rope. The “spells” seemed totally ridiculous to me and added even more to the feeling that Zettel was just making all of this up as she went along. To give you an idea, here is my very own Isavaltan spell: “In the woods of Blahbadooey, there is a tree. In the tree, there are many leaves reaching to the sky. On one leaf, there is a caterpillar. I see the caterpillar. The caterpillar sees me. As I see the caterpillar, allow my sister to be able to see her future husband.”
Okay, this is a slightly exaggerated example (but not as exaggerated as you might think). In any case, you can see why this magic system started to drive me a little crazy. It felt like everything was being made up on the spot and the sorcerers could pretty much do whatever they wanted. Sure, using magic made them tired, but other than that, there didn’t seem to be any clear boundaries or rules that I could see.
I liked the way that Zettel incorporated different cultures and folklore into the creation of her three main fictional countries: Isavalta, Hung Tse, and Hastinapura. I will say, however, that I spent the first half of the book feeling pretty confused about the geography and political relationships in this universe. I think this book would have really benefited from a small map at the beginning. I didn’t even realize that the Heart of the World was a city until one of the characters arrived there.
The final scenes of the book are mostly exciting and dramatic, but the actual ending left a lot to be desired. I wanted to know what fate befell the emperor of Hung Tse and the conniving dowager empress. I wanted to finally find out what Yamuna’s master plan was. I wanted the main villains to come to satisfactorily hard-won deaths. I didn’t get any of those things. Worst of all, I was really disappointed at the final fates that ended up befalling each of the main characters.
I didn’t realize until going to post this review that this book is actually the second book in a series...but actually serves as a prequel to the first book. I’m somewhat interested in what happens to Ingrid’s daughter, but my frustrations with this book’s plot and some of the worldbuilding elements might just be too much for me to ignore. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with Zettel’s Isavalta novels.
June 25, 2018
This is a prequel to Sorceror's Treason. I started out thinking I should have read this one first, because I know how they end are twenty or thirty years in the future. Then again there is a lot of mystery at the begining of Treason (and a biggie at the end) that are revealed in Crown. They can be read standalone.
Medeoan is the princess of Isavalta. She is given in marriage to Kacha, royalty from Hastinapura. She fall's in love with Kacha, but it turns out he along with the sorceror Yamuna have been plotting to rule Isavalta. Avanasy warns Medeoan of Kacha's treachery, but she can't see it. Avanasy is banished. After that the King and Queen die of a mysterious illness, Medeoan's ladies up replaced with spies, and Kacha's power is more and more consolidated.
Avanasy crosses into our world where he builds a life in a nineteeth century Lake Superior community. A place where he falls in love with Ingrid. When they finally get together and decide to marry Avanasy is called back to Isavalta. This happens because Medeoan, Iakush (the Isavaltan court sorceror) and a few others realize what Kacha is doing.
Epic fantasy with lots of intrigue. A real romance between Ingrid and Avanasy. Magical incantations. I feel like I want to reread the opening of Sorceror's Treason so that I can evaluate Grace's motives in trying to keep her niece from going to Isavalta.
Medeoan is the princess of Isavalta. She is given in marriage to Kacha, royalty from Hastinapura. She fall's in love with Kacha, but it turns out he along with the sorceror Yamuna have been plotting to rule Isavalta. Avanasy warns Medeoan of Kacha's treachery, but she can't see it. Avanasy is banished. After that the King and Queen die of a mysterious illness, Medeoan's ladies up replaced with spies, and Kacha's power is more and more consolidated.
Avanasy crosses into our world where he builds a life in a nineteeth century Lake Superior community. A place where he falls in love with Ingrid. When they finally get together and decide to marry Avanasy is called back to Isavalta. This happens because Medeoan, Iakush (the Isavaltan court sorceror) and a few others realize what Kacha is doing.
Epic fantasy with lots of intrigue. A real romance between Ingrid and Avanasy. Magical incantations. I feel like I want to reread the opening of Sorceror's Treason so that I can evaluate Grace's motives in trying to keep her niece from going to Isavalta.
December 6, 2020
Fantasy series - A prequel to the Isavalta fantasy series. Well done and introduces and fleshes out all the characters. Might have been better to read this book first.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
April 24, 2020
Pregnant Ingrid must journey through the Land of Death and Spirit to defeat the Firebird that threatens the Isavaltan empire.
February 11, 2009
I had read such briliant reviews of Zettel's first novel "Reclamation" that when I found one of her books ("Fool's War") at a library it turned out to be a big disappointment for me. I had been expecting too much! I never managed to get past the first thirty pages.
I found another one recently,this very "The Usurper's Crown" being sold on a used book heap for fifty cents. It had a very nice cover, so I bought it.
I enjoyed it a lot. It might be due to the fact that I wasn't expecting too much this time, or it might be due to the fact that it was fantasy and I have lower standards for fantasy than for science fiction. Or it might be that this one was so action-packed and so filled with imagination (compared to "Fool's War") that I was enchanted by it and never noticed that the time and the pages were flying by.
In fact it's been a long time since I found myself being worried about the fate of the characters. You have to be really caught up in the action for that.
I found another one recently,this very "The Usurper's Crown" being sold on a used book heap for fifty cents. It had a very nice cover, so I bought it.
I enjoyed it a lot. It might be due to the fact that I wasn't expecting too much this time, or it might be due to the fact that it was fantasy and I have lower standards for fantasy than for science fiction. Or it might be that this one was so action-packed and so filled with imagination (compared to "Fool's War") that I was enchanted by it and never noticed that the time and the pages were flying by.
In fact it's been a long time since I found myself being worried about the fate of the characters. You have to be really caught up in the action for that.
February 26, 2012
This is a prequel to A Sorcerer's Treason and is a great companion to the story of Bridget that comes next.
For some reason Sarah Zettel does not have her Isavalta books listed on her website which is a shame because I'd love to read some of her commentary on the inspiration for these novels which takes in mythology and folklore from many different cultures.
Recommend for any fantasy fans :)
For some reason Sarah Zettel does not have her Isavalta books listed on her website which is a shame because I'd love to read some of her commentary on the inspiration for these novels which takes in mythology and folklore from many different cultures.
Recommend for any fantasy fans :)
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November 30, 2007I became bored with this - it was a prequel to a book of Zettel's that I'd read and enjoyed, but I just couldn't get into this one (I don't usually find prequels that exciting though. I tend to think they either should have come first, or stayed in the author's character development notebook.)
November 7, 2012
Didn't realize it was the prequel to the first book until I was well into chapter one. Thoroughly enjoyed it anyway, a good escape into a well thought-out imaginary land. Have started book three straight away.
January 19, 2014
This is the second book in the Isavalta series by Sarah Zettel. It acts as a pre-quel to Sorcerer's Treason, and I'd recommend reading it first. It makes much of the first book more understandable. Both books are great combinations of Chinese and Russian folklore within a fantasy setting.
May 20, 2016
this was so boring i couldn't finish it. the first book held some promise but this... egh. i sort of want to know what happens in the rest of the series but don't want to have to drag myself through it as the first book was quite draggy as well. this is much worse though.
March 8, 2008
I must say another enjoyable book weaving together a nice mix of Russian Folklore, Chinese and Indian Mythology. A great read you won't regret.
June 5, 2008
Interesting, but I couldn't have as much sympathy for some of the characters, given the events of A Sorcerer's Treason.
July 10, 2008
An enthralling book. This didn't take me long to read because I couldn't put it down. The characters and world were well created.
Want to read
September 13, 2017IL: UG - BL: 6.1 - AR Pts: 31.0
February 24, 2011
Nice start but it seamed to be rushed in the ending
December 18, 2011
this is a prequel to Book 1. I wish I'd read this first. Hated knowing what was going happen.
September 18, 2012
I wish this had been the first book in the series, it explained a lot about how the phoenix was imprisoned.
December 3, 2012
Well written, not just the usual swords 'n sorcerors faux medieval setting. Strong heroine, understandably motivated villain, and good treatment of Russian & Chinese-inspired folklore.
September 13, 2016
This was second in the series, didn't like it as much as the first one, stopped reading this series. Her science fiction books were so much better!
July 29, 2017
Why make the second book in a series a repetitive prequel? Bleh. Maybe I'll pick it back up someday, but I got awfully bored.
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September 17, 2014y can't i download
January 18, 2008
A refreshing new fantasy series.. Book 2 was certainly the best of the three.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews