Nimuar's Loss: Book One of the Vildecaz Talents: Camille Gabor

The Duzky of Vildecaz has long held a tenuous position in the empire. The Duz lost much of his power and his faculties twenty years ago to an ambitious magician and Yulko Bihn isn't finished with him. Will the Duz's two daughters, each with their own strange and unique powers, be enough to control the forces that are intent on taking the Duzky and the daughters for their own?

Niniane and Erianthe have shared the duties of the Duzky between them for many years, content to let their father immerse himself in his studies, as much as his shattered mind will allow. As the girls matured their powers emerged and grew. Erianthe gained the power to control and manipulate the spirits of the air to perform "shadow shows" that delight court guests. Niniane, on the other hand, can speak with animals of fur and feather and every full moon becomes an animal of fur or feather. She is never sure what she will be but she is forced to hide this power as it is something that cannot be known for fear of what the Emperor may do with it.

As the girls struggle to maintain the Duzky they are set upon by their yearly visit from Yulko Bihn, who has become the Court Magician. They must entertain him to please the Emperor though this puts them at risk. With the arrival of Yulko Bihn comes a neighboring lordling who has been attempting to gain Niniane's affections and her Duzky with his party, as well as the Court escort come to bring Erianthe for her annual visit with the Emperor. Niniane's former flame returns to help the girls pull through but will they be able to make it through the weekend and the house full of guests without any major mishaps or breaches of etiquette?

As you may have noticed this book takes place in a completely off-world setting. As with any fantasy novel it can be a little difficult to make the transition, especially when faced with "new" words and ideas but the author succeeds beautifully. The characters are written with a depth and feeling that is lacking from many fantasy novels. I liked the pacing of the plot as it kept me reading to see what would happen next. I'm quite looking forward to the next book. The author has opened up several fronts that will need to be explored at length and I can't wait to continue the adventure.
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Read an excerpt of Numiar's Loss
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Wildside Press (March 7, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0809557894
ISBN-13: 978-0809557899
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