Benyorn the Scrivener tells The Tale of Karryn as the ghost of Nemond the Green reveals it to him.  The story begins with the kidnapping of the child Karryn by the Phantoms, a band of brigands.  Karryn, named Palamay by his captures, grows up and brutally takes over the band.  Through Karryn’s cunning leadership and remarkable skills with magic, the Phantoms take control over all brigand activities in the northwest. 

But Karryn’s rise to power does not end there.  Sestia, the last remaining witch of the Coven of Seven, has plans that will change the course of his life.  The power she gives him will cast him from elation to heartache, from order to chaos and from glory to his utter doom.  Teahl, High Wizard of the Guild in Ryviton, must learn to his horror that Karryn is the son he never knew he had. 

Will Teahl’s sense of honor cause him to commit a seat on the Guild to Karryn, or will Karryn’s dealings with the black arts disqualify him?  Will Karryn fulfill the prophecy of the Priest of the Estern Forest and will the witches of the Coven of Seven ever realize their darkest dreams by his hand?  Will Karryn finally succeed in defeating Sar-Dyljetti and his Chaos Riders?  Will he escape the Forest of Shadows and Barrows the Wolf Rider and his army of wee people?

This book is for readers who love lots of fast paced action with clashes between mighty warriors and mythical creatures, or those who love magic wielded with reckless abandonment.  It was not written for those who like rosy endings, or those who like to read about how the bad eventually become good.  This just doesn’t happen in this book.  In The Tale of Karryn, the reader will virtually enter into the life of a young boy who seems to be reasonably human, with the capacity for love and caring. Instead, the reader will watch, with a pointblank view, as he grows increasingly wicked.  Finally, the evil within turns on him and leaves him a stark-raving madman with no redeeming qualities.  If there is a moral to this story it is this: If you practice evil deeds, you can be sure that you will suffer evil’s effects in your body, mind and soul.

 
Paul H. Kogel