The Spirit Lens

Starred review from November 9, 2009
In this superbly realized leadoff to Berg’s quasi-Renaissance fantasy trilogy, natural science, backed by Sabria’s King Philippe, is gaining popularity, leading some magicians to attempt his assassination. Failed mage and self-doubting librarian Portier de Savin-Duplais is chosen by Philippe, his distant cousin, to secretly probe a treacherous plot that involves his beloved queen. With fellow “agents confides” Ilario, an inane chevalier, and Dante, a ferocious renegade sorcerer, Portier embarks on an intricate quest to save king and kingdom. As in her widely praised Breath and Bone
, Berg shapes the well-worn elements of epic fantasy into a lush, absorbing narrative. Even her minor characters, caught up in fiendish plots and deathly secrets, ring regally true, and Portier oscillates between rueful, reluctant, ethics-bending service and painful but necessary revelations while his old world collapses and a new one struggles to be born.

December 15, 2009
A strong supporter of science over magic, the King of Sabria appoints a failed wizard, a flamboyant knight-courtier, and a brooding rogue magus to investigate his own near murder. Is his wife behind the attack? Set in a world in which the implacable laws of science war with the resonances of magical power for supremacy, Berg's novel is rich with vivid characters and unforgettable places. VERDICT The author of the "Lighthouse" series ("Flesh and Spirit; Breath and Bone") and the Rai-Kirah series ("Transformation; Restoration; Revelation") spins an infectiously enjoyable series opener that fans of thought-provoking fantasy and intriguing mystery should appreciate.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
In what appears to open a new series, Berg introduces the kingdom of Sabria, where sorcery is declining under an explosion of knowledge in the natural sciences and a charismatic young king. Failed student of magic Portier de Duplais is now a librarian at the kingdoms last college of magic. When his distant cousin, King Phillipe, asks him to investigate an attempted murder that showed magical influences, Portier jumps at the chance to leave his rut. To his dismay, Portier is partnered in the investigation with the biggest fool at court. Then he must gain the help of Dante, a brilliant but heretical sorcerer with a penchant for violence. As the investigation continues, so do the deaths, and Portier gets into an increasingly complex fight for his own, the kings, and the kingdoms lives. An archetypal mystery and a genuine page-turner that should please both mystery and fantasy fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)