Amazon Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Tracey L. Ali ISBN-10:  1453803378 Type: Fiction ISBN-13: 9781453803370 The second book in the Witchcraft Wars trilogy this follows the adventures of Ursula as she tries to save her father High King Erich and prevent Shallendara from unleashing her war of revenge on Kaynos  Locked in his dank, underground cell King Erich is feverish and dying. Running out of time and running out of hope he sends his daughter, the beautiful Princess Ursula, on a seemingly impossible quest. She must find the lost and ruined Temple of Life and secure the key that may mean the difference between freedom and slavery for the Kingdoms of Kaynos. Meanwhile his son, the young druid Slade, continues his own quest to find his beloved father and stop the evil witch Shallendara in her plans for conquest. Betrayed by those they thought were friends and hunted from all directions Slade's quest seems as impossible as Ursula's. With more questions than answers Slade and his companions seek out the great Dragon Clans to the north for assistance. Yet Shallendara's quest for ultimate power will not be stopped so easily. Already her forces are gathering and war, once hoped to be avoided, is now imminent. Her allies the Oz'ke'lati and their psychic warriors seem almost unstoppable and the Kingdoms fate hangs in the balance. Excerpt The tangy smell of autumn pricked at Ursula’s nose and all around her she could smell the tang of the Eastern Sea in the chilly early morning air. As she walked along the parapet of the castle walls towards the massive Horned Gate in the west, the rising sun was behind her casting long, eerie shadows across her path, elongating her form beyond recognition. In the distance she could see the squat, shining headquarters of The Tears of Ilmater. It was a sight she normally found reassuring but somehow, on this particular early morning, she felt as though the building were some kind of omen or reproach although she could not say why she felt that way. A slight breeze caused her thin linen nightdress to curl sensuously around her body as she walked but Ursula ignored it. She also ignored the tiny prick of wondering in the back of her mind as to why she was out walking the palace walls so early in the morning wearing nothing but her sleeping attire. Approaching the Horned Gate, she could feel the steady thrum of the approaching dragon’s beating wings stirring the chill autumn air long before she heard the regular thwack of its massive wings. Turning slightly to face the huge black dragon as it approached she wondered at herself; that she felt no fear, only a surge of love so powerful it took her breath away. Ursula knew this dragon. In a way she could not even begin to explain to herself or to anyone else, she knew this huge beast to her very soul. When the dragon’s huge mouth opened wide she was hardly surprised to hear the great creature call her own name, “Ursula, Ursula.” Somehow it had been exactly what she had expected. The enormous black dragon was searching for her, just as she, in some indefinable way, had been searching for the dragon. When the sudden darkness and deep chill descended upon her position on the Horned Gate she knew it had nothing to do with the majestic beast still flying slowly towards her. With great reluctance Ursula turned away from the beauty of the dragon and turned into the darkness, waiting patiently, although what she was waiting for she did not know. Soon enough her beloved father’s voice filled the darkened air, calling her name just as the dragon had done. “Ursula, delight of my old age, my child, help me. I am lost, The Kingdoms are in danger. You must help me, my child. Find the key. Search the ruins, walk the labyrinth, find the key. Look not for me. Find the key and I shall be found, The Kingdoms saved but you must find the key, my child, find the key….” her father’s voice trailed away, leaving her alone with the now hovering black dragon. Deep in her heart she knew the importance of her father’s message yet still the now hovering black dragon entranced her. Gently she reached up with one dainty hand to touch the magnificent beast; its scales were warm to her touch, pulsating with life. “My love,” she breathed the words out and as she did so finally awoke, the dream lingering.

A tale of magic filled with fascinating characters
"Ursula's Quest", book two of the Witchcraft Wars by Tracey Alley, takes us further into the fascinating world of magic and witchcraft the author has set up for us in the first book (Erich's Plea). This time, the focus is on Ursula. She is the sister of Slade, the former crown prince of Vestland turned druid. Ursula, together with her childhood friend, Ming, a warrior monk from the Black Lotus monastery, sets out on a mission to save her father, King Erich, who has been imprisoned by the witch Shallendara. At the same time, but unbeknownst to Ursula, her brother Slade and his companions set out with the same goal, to save the king and the country from an impending war and destruction. In addition, the magician, Lord Nexus, a former student and lover of Shallendara, also tries to gain power over her and thwart her plans. For that, he allies himself with the knight Lord Michael. Nexus, however, has his own, possibly sinister, agenda.

"Ursula's Quest" is once again full of intriguing characters and fast-paced, fascinating events. I love the many references to ancient myths. Having three parallel plots in one book could easily lead to confusion in an author less skilled than Tracey Alley. I found the transitions seamless and the overall story easy to follow. And once again, I felt "at home" in her fantasy world and could identify with the motley crew of characters.

All in all, again a real treat.