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Fool's Gold #2
Wild Magic
The brilliant follow-up to Sorcery Rising and the continuation of the "fascinating" (Anne McCaffrey) Fool's Gold trilogy penned by Jude Fisher-a major U.K. publisher who oversees all of J.R.R. Tolkien's work.
Magic has returned to Elda, creating all manner of wonders and terrors. None yet know that the source of this magic is the legendary Rosa Eldi, restored to the world, but not yet restored to herself. Unaware of her true nature, she has married King Ravn Asharson of the North, and now with usurpers and assassins circling she must conceive a child to establish the succession. But the Rosa Eldi is no ordinary woman...In the Southern Empire, the fire of holy war is smouldering and violence is everywhere, fuelled by fundamentalist hatred and bigotry. Caught up in these machinations, peace-loving Saro Vingo is forced to take up arms against the North and Virelai, apprentice sorcerer, finds himself chained to the murderous plans of his master, Tycho Issian. Ignoring the call to arms, Aran Aranson, chief of the Rockfall clan, is in the grip of a mad obsession borne of a magical map and dreams of sailing the frozen seas to Sanctuary, island of legend, to find a fortune. His daughter, Katla, dreams of sailing with him but her fate lies elsewhere. All over Elda, forces are aligning themselves for good or for evil. There is magic in the world again, but it is wild and unpredictable, and few will count its touch a blessing.
Magic has returned to Elda, creating all manner of wonders and terrors. None yet know that the source of this magic is the legendary Rosa Eldi, restored to the world, but not yet restored to herself. Unaware of her true nature, she has married King Ravn Asharson of the North, and now with usurpers and assassins circling she must conceive a child to establish the succession. But the Rosa Eldi is no ordinary woman...In the Southern Empire, the fire of holy war is smouldering and violence is everywhere, fuelled by fundamentalist hatred and bigotry. Caught up in these machinations, peace-loving Saro Vingo is forced to take up arms against the North and Virelai, apprentice sorcerer, finds himself chained to the murderous plans of his master, Tycho Issian. Ignoring the call to arms, Aran Aranson, chief of the Rockfall clan, is in the grip of a mad obsession borne of a magical map and dreams of sailing the frozen seas to Sanctuary, island of legend, to find a fortune. His daughter, Katla, dreams of sailing with him but her fate lies elsewhere. All over Elda, forces are aligning themselves for good or for evil. There is magic in the world again, but it is wild and unpredictable, and few will count its touch a blessing.
592 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
11 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
Jane Johnson
79 books552 followersJane Johnson is an English writer of books for adults and children and fiction book editor. As a writer she has used the pseudonyms Gabriel King, jointly with M. John Harrison, and Jude Fisher, as well as her real name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 28, 2024
This is the sequel to SORCERY RISING, so I’ll not bother getting into plot particulars except to say this trilogy should be read in order. As with most epic fantasy written in this era, the story builds leisurely & relies on some familiar ingredients—but there are enough unique details & twisted tropes to keep it feeling fresh. Fisher is better than many in this genre when it comes to characterization; everyone is their own person whom you may or may not like, but none of them are uninteresting. I hope Tanto’s eventual death is messy & painful (he’s a thoroughly vile villain, so this is a legit wish 😈), but I also wanted to smack the heroine Katla several times after grabbing Saro by the lapels & shaking vigorously. 🫢 Speaking of which…several minor characters are killed & there are multiple cruel cliffhangers after equally cruel death scenes, so I very much doubt everyone will ride off happily into the sunset after book 3. But that’s ok. I don’t mind having my heart broken by epics. 😇
Fisher is an excellent writer, but she’s probably not for everyone. Her prose is vivid + supple, but also very subtle + dense; she relies on the reader picking up nuances that aren’t always addressed until much later, so speed-reading is impossible despite the pace often crawling through lengthy subplots. I grew up reading chunky, long-winded fantasy so I don’t mind this technique if the story engages me (which these books do), but it’s not the way most fantasy is written these days thanks to the publishers pushing more straightforward YA and/or romantasy. These books are definitely NOT grimdark, but they do include dark topics & violent scenes (rape, physical/emotional abuse, hatespeech, genocide).
4 stars. It was good, but the first half pacing desperately needed some caffeine.
Fisher is an excellent writer, but she’s probably not for everyone. Her prose is vivid + supple, but also very subtle + dense; she relies on the reader picking up nuances that aren’t always addressed until much later, so speed-reading is impossible despite the pace often crawling through lengthy subplots. I grew up reading chunky, long-winded fantasy so I don’t mind this technique if the story engages me (which these books do), but it’s not the way most fantasy is written these days thanks to the publishers pushing more straightforward YA and/or romantasy. These books are definitely NOT grimdark, but they do include dark topics & violent scenes (rape, physical/emotional abuse, hatespeech, genocide).
4 stars. It was good, but the first half pacing desperately needed some caffeine.
June 8, 2020
What?! No, this book can't possibly end there! Damn you, author! *shakes fist*
On to book 3, I must know what happens! FRTC, I promise!
On to book 3, I must know what happens! FRTC, I promise!
June 2, 2020
I was interested in the overall story but I REFUSE to sit through a book that spends over half the time wallowing in the head of a rapist/spoiled human. It was an awful, awful decision to fixate on that part of the story for so many pages and I don't have time or patience or inclination to push through this book or the last in the trilogy.
RAPISTS AREN'T INTERESTING. STOP FOCUSING ON THEIR STORIES.
DNF @ 70 pages.
RAPISTS AREN'T INTERESTING. STOP FOCUSING ON THEIR STORIES.
DNF @ 70 pages.
July 19, 2024
Sadly little-known epic fantasy, with lots of characters, compelling situations, and thoroughly despicable villains whose painful demise I await with pleasure.
January 31, 2013
I enjoyed the story, but again, it is good that all three books are available. The book does just end, leaving one waiting for the next one in the series.
I like most of the characters in the story, though I find at least one of the protagonists to be lacking a bit in his character. Perhaps it is more who he is supposed to be, but I wonder if his actions are a bit contrived. He fails to stand up for himself or others when needed and while I am sure it drives the continued plot in the next book, I do wonder if a person would react as such.
It is within the realm of possibility, so while I find I don't like that character so much, I can live with it.
I do wish more of the story would focus on Katla. I find that I like her character more than any of the others (and there are plenty of others). If you like a story with a sizable cast, this does have that.
My attraction to Katla is that she is a strong character, wanting to control her own course of action and taking matters into her own hands. Quite the opposite of the Saro character.
The book does bring forth more details on the world and adds some history and back story to things that are taking place, but there is still a lot to divulge in the third book.
I like most of the characters in the story, though I find at least one of the protagonists to be lacking a bit in his character. Perhaps it is more who he is supposed to be, but I wonder if his actions are a bit contrived. He fails to stand up for himself or others when needed and while I am sure it drives the continued plot in the next book, I do wonder if a person would react as such.
It is within the realm of possibility, so while I find I don't like that character so much, I can live with it.
I do wish more of the story would focus on Katla. I find that I like her character more than any of the others (and there are plenty of others). If you like a story with a sizable cast, this does have that.
My attraction to Katla is that she is a strong character, wanting to control her own course of action and taking matters into her own hands. Quite the opposite of the Saro character.
The book does bring forth more details on the world and adds some history and back story to things that are taking place, but there is still a lot to divulge in the third book.
March 29, 2023
I remembered precisely zero things about the first book when I started this one... which shouldn't be surprising given that it's been 6 years and several thousand books since I read Sorcery Rising. Although I was worried at first that I'd be completely lost going into this, I found my way back into this world surprisingly easily and my memory of the characters came back soon enough. Where the first book gathered its vast cast of characters in a single place, here we cover quite a lot of ground between the different characters and their journeys. Katla is still very much my favourite, but where I had trouble feeling invested in other characters in the series opener, I was more interested in where all their stories might lead this time around. Now let's see if I can manage to not let another 6 years pass before moving on the the conclusion...
January 19, 2010
I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot more in this book then there was in the last one. There was a lot of excitement in this one. I absolutely loved it. I don't like some of the characters. I don't like the Istrians in the book unless it's Saro. War begins between the Eyrans and Istrians. I really like the Rosa Eldi. I really like her name rose of the world. She's an amazing character because she isn't what she appears to be. In the first book I didn't like her because I felt there was something mysterious about her. I really like that now. She manages to keep everyone in Istria on there seat.Too bad one Istrian has to ruin Istria for the lust of one woman, the Rosa Eldi.
February 13, 2012
This story is an excellent read. There are many story lines going on. This second book was a good continuation of the characters from the first book. About half way through it the actual story line becomes clear which completely changes the emotions. It ends in a bit of a cliff hanger, so I'm anxious to get started on the next one.
February 10, 2015
Ik ben gestopt met het lezen van dit boek. Er zit zo'n neerwaartse spiraal in dat ik het niet meer leuk vond. En de manier waarop er met vrouwen wordt omgegaan vind ik ook niet goed beschreven. Vandaar. Wel jammer aangezien het eerste boek zo veelbelovend is.
February 26, 2016
Once I picked up this series, I seriously couldn't put it down. I loved how the pov flowed from one character to another. I also really enjoyed the social commentary. Great read for people that like magic and strong characters.
July 7, 2008
OMG. Just read it.
August 8, 2008
Good book. I gave it less stars due to the rape that hapens in this book. Over all I did like it though.
July 10, 2008
The second book in the fool's gold trilogy, was as good as the first. The storyline is good, with the adventures of a number of different characters woven together.
February 28, 2011
Another great read.Second in the series - looking forward to the third.
July 16, 2012
wow one of my absolute favorite fantasy books ever!
March 12, 2014
3 1/2 stars
October 11, 2018
As a sequel, this one brings together strands and characters from the first novel, and expands on them. There's so much going on in this one it's hard to put down.
The characters grow and evolve, and you start to see how they are all connected, many stories are interwoven like a web to give you a sweeping but still personal tale of their lives.
There aren't too many characters that you get lost, and you return to them again and again as they interact and cross paths. It's gripping and full of tension. Now for the final act!
The characters grow and evolve, and you start to see how they are all connected, many stories are interwoven like a web to give you a sweeping but still personal tale of their lives.
There aren't too many characters that you get lost, and you return to them again and again as they interact and cross paths. It's gripping and full of tension. Now for the final act!
September 8, 2021
Took me 2 attempts to read this, and probably would have give up the seconds time but I didn't have much else to read. OK I haven't read the first book, but I think even a book in a series should be able to be read on its own. I never got some of the characters sorted in my mind, especially those with similar names. Also there was no closure, most of the characters seemed to end 'cliff-hanging', but it didn't work for me I honestly don't care enough to get the next book.
February 7, 2024
Comments much the same as the last book. Maybe ought to add that the end of the second comes with teeth-grindingly stupid errors on the part of the two main protagonists that are clearly literary devices for the sake of moving the plot forward, not out of literary inevitability, so that kind of pissed me off. But my feelings are much the same: plot is interesting enough to keep me reading, nothing revolutionary here.
April 24, 2020
Knife-maker Katla Aransen, horse trainer Saro Vingo, Sago’s brother Tanto’s escaped bride, and other major characters from SORCERY RISING are caught in a web of magical intrigue as the Rose of the World inadvertently exercises her fatal allure on mortal men.
September 6, 2019
Fuck Fent. It's also has a lot less of Katla in it. (Dude, can I just say that everytime I look at the title I think about Wild Magic by Jo Clayton, and Golden Fool by Robin Hobb?)
October 3, 2021
3.5 classico libro di mezzo
November 22, 2021
Book was very good. Parts of novel are brutal and this book i would not recommend for less then mature audience.
September 9, 2009
Having originally written a supportive review of Book 1, Book 2 is depressingly under par. In fact, questionable sophistication aside it's got some bad structure and storytelling style, period.
My main gripes with this book is that Book 1 had potential - raw potential that really should have been perfected and fulfilled in all its glory for Books 2 and 3 - but in Book 2 it was carelessly quashed. Which sucks because I like these characters in the same way I liked the characters in some of Feist's books (enough to read books I hate because I love the characters so much).
There's a pre-prologue that ruthlessly clears up many of the previously unresolved mysteries from Book 1 (this REALLY pissed me off. I haven't thrown a book to the floor and yelled in frustration in a long time), and general long-windiness. I really feel that set-up writing should be *shorter* in subsequent books than in the original, or better yet, pull off time-jumping a la Eddings and just say "two weeks later" or somesuch. I don't really need to hear the innermost thoughts and desires of the characters on such a frequent basis, especially when it slows down the plot.
Summary: Disappointing. Unfortunately not as disappointing as the third book.
My main gripes with this book is that Book 1 had potential - raw potential that really should have been perfected and fulfilled in all its glory for Books 2 and 3 - but in Book 2 it was carelessly quashed. Which sucks because I like these characters in the same way I liked the characters in some of Feist's books (enough to read books I hate because I love the characters so much).
There's a pre-prologue that ruthlessly clears up many of the previously unresolved mysteries from Book 1 (this REALLY pissed me off. I haven't thrown a book to the floor and yelled in frustration in a long time), and general long-windiness. I really feel that set-up writing should be *shorter* in subsequent books than in the original, or better yet, pull off time-jumping a la Eddings and just say "two weeks later" or somesuch. I don't really need to hear the innermost thoughts and desires of the characters on such a frequent basis, especially when it slows down the plot.
Summary: Disappointing. Unfortunately not as disappointing as the third book.
October 19, 2008
I've been researching sequels and wanted to try reading a book that I wasn't familiar with the first book. I liked some of Jude Fisher's other books, so tried this series.I don't like the jump around perspective where it changes from one character to another each chapter. I'd like to just stay with the main, but I can understand how stories split and you need to tell each side. I really related to Katla, and was piecing together the world created easily. It seemed based on the normal UK, Irish, France triangle with new names. Liked the magic being brought into the world angle, and would like to read the next book in the series when I have time to see how that ends. Liked Katla's rebel attitude, and the women in her village wanting to defend themselves against raiders. It is a good read for those who want to get lost in another world for awhile.
March 23, 2011
I read it only to find out what happens to Katla. I also skipped huge chunks of text many times without missing any story. There's too much description and memory flashbacks (and Katla remembered when she was 5 the time when....etc.)
Read
January 14, 2011This is the second book in the series and It draws you in and reads quickly. I'm looking forward to reading Rose of the World, the final book in the series.
Read
March 25, 2010F FIS fg bk. 2
Fantasy
Fantasy
Read
July 30, 2011REad it. Remember liking it but can't seem to remember what it was about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews