The newest book by Tanya Huff is actually an omnibus of two of her oldest books. The first, Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light, is an urban fantasy originally released in 1989, while The Fire’s Stone is a more traditional fantasy story released in 1990. Each book is a stand-alone; they represent the two sub-genres she’s best known for (although arguably her Blood Price vampire-and-monsters series is more dark fantasy bordering on horror than it is urban fantasy (see this review). Out of print for some time, these two books have been brought back in one handsome volume to reintroduce readers to some of her earliest, and favorite, works.
The Darkness and Light exist in a precarious balance, each opposed directly by the other, each remaining apart from the mundane world except when called by our own hopes, wishes, dreams, or darker desires. When an Adept of the Darkness slips through the barriers into Toronto, he threatens to upset the balance and bring down horrors unimaginable. He leaves a grisly trail of death and despair behind him, twisting minds and souls to fit his needs and his unhealthy appetites. The only people capable of standing against him are inexperienced, untrained, and, in some cases, way out of their league.
Roland is a simple street musician, a guitar-playing busker who’s never followed anything through properly in his twenty-eight years. Daru is an overworked, dedicated social worker who fights a losing war against the darkness of man’s nature on a daily basis. Mrs. Ruth is a bag lady who knows more than she lets on, but that knowledge has driven her mad … or has it? Tom is a cat with uncanny instincts and the courage to do what he has to. And Rebecca, for all her charm and good nature, is simple, unable to grasp the complexities of modern society, considered incompetent by so many. With Evantarim, an Adept of the Light, to aid them, they have to track down this Adept of the Darkness and stop him before all Hell breaks loose.
Roland will undergo a personal quest that will either break him, or forge him into the man he’s always been destined to become. Rebecca will tap into her true nature and discover the magic both within and without. And Evan will embrace humanity, helping them to unite and call upon the power of the Goddess. But someone will die to save the world, and no one will remain unchanged by the events leading up to Midsummer.
Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light is a fun book, that doesn’t require any previous knowledge of a series. Well-told, with exceptionally well-crafted characters and an increasingly tense plot, it only stumbles once in a while, such as when Roland is thrown into otherworldly realms that seem to have little to do with the ongoing plot. The trio of Roland, Rebecca, and Evan are a treat to behold, as they struggle with the tasks at hand, and with increasing attractions to one another. These characters are realistic, first and foremost, as they cope with things many of them couldn’t even dream of.
The Fire’s Stone is much like Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light, in that it too features a trio of protagonists out to save the world. However, this is much more a story of personal choice, defying roles, and making one’s own destiny.
Chandra, only daughter to a powerful lord, has defied him, insistent upon following her destiny as a Wizard of the Nine, one of the all-too-rare people capable of channeling not just one, but all nine disciplines of magic. Where most choose one or the other, becoming wizards of the First, or Fourth, or Seventh, she can transcend them all with her power and skill. But she’s been promised in marriage. Gambling desperately, she sets off to try and thwart this plan, but instead gets caught up in a far more immediate concern.
Darvish, third son of the king of Ischia, is a hopeless cause. An alcoholic, fond of women, men, wine, beer, song, and general misbehavior, his only redeeming skills are his superb swordplay and his charming demeanor. He’ll never amount to anything, and he knows it. But when a thief falls into his life, he finds responsibility, just in time to be sent on a dangerous quest. Is he the only man for the job because he’s got the qualifications, or is he the only man because he’s expendable?
Aaron, self-exiled heir to a far-northern Clan, has assumed a life as a thief, choosing a slow path of self-destruction to bury the memories of the love his father had killed. When his mentor dies, he looks for a way to honor her, but betrayal lands him in the hands of justice, and ultimately bonded to Darvish.
Together, Aaron, Darvish, and Chandra will go forth. For the Fire’s Stone, a magical artifact that’s the only thing keeping Ischia from being destroyed by the volcano it was built on, has been stolen. Without it, the city will perish in fire and smoke, horribly. The trio must go forth as warrior, thief, and wizard, to reclaim the Stone, expose a traitor, defeat a wizard, prevent a war, and save Ischia. In the process, Chandra will find her path, Darvish will find his destiny, and Aaron will find his love. Together they can do what no one else can. But if they don’t stand together, they’ll be the first to fall.
Again, the characterization is the standout element of this book. The three main characters are believable, and one can sympathize with their choices and motivations. The feelings they exhibit are as complex as any real person, going against social conditioning and even religious indoctrination to follow the heart. The storyline is fast-paced and gripping, with plenty of dramatic rooftop chases, intrigue, skullduggery, and sharp fight scenes to keep it moving.
Compared to Tanya Huff’s later works, these might lack experience and polish, but they still hold up as wonderful stories in their own right. Because each book represents a different sub-genre, the collection offers something for varied tastes. Of Darkness, Light, And Fire is recommended, with the only real downside being the somewhat clunky title, meant to represent both books and instead dropping like a stone.