About the Author

Patricia A. McKillip is a winner of the World Fantasy Award, and the author of many fantasy novels, including The Riddlemaster of Hed trilogy, Stepping from the Shadows, and The Cygnet and the Firebird. She lives in Oregon.

Reviews

“Like the royal tutor (a key figure), the novel ‘wavers between history and magic,’ and the ornate, occasionally mannered prose conceals both wit and intelligence.”—The Washington Post Book World “An intriguing and compelling portrait of a city born of light and shadow, whose citizens may discover the means to cross the borders between the real and the merely possible. The author’s graceful prose and remarkable depth of characterization bring to life a tale of love and loyalty that transcends time and space.”—Library Journal (starred review) “This is absolutely the most pleasing book Patricia A. McKillip has written in years…a swift-moving journey through a maze of truth, loss, secrets, bravery, temptation, obsession, magic, and ultimately, love.”—SF Site “A swift, dark dream of a book…Masterfully turning old fairy tales on their heads as she pits the horrors of unchecked avarice and spells-for-hire against those very different forces, keen wits and steadfast love, McKillip maintains a delicate balance throughout Ombria in Shadows.”—Locus “A ghostly tale of human emotions gone astray in a city that lives and dies in endless cycles…fine prose.”—Publishers Weekly 

Harking back to some of her earliest works (namely The Forgotten Beasts of Eld), McKillip offers up a ghostly tale of human emotions gone astray in a city that lives and dies in endless cycles. Greed, despair, grief and avarice have all taken their toll on the once-beautiful city of Ombria, but it is the death of its prince that pushes it over the edge into darkness and shadow. Several key players participate in this particular procession of dying and rebirth: Kyel Greve, the new prince-to-be who is too young to rule but old enough to feel the despair of those around him; Lydea, the dying prince's lover who feels the weight of the city resting on her shoulders; Ducon Greve, the bastard prince who sees and feels the change happening but is in no position to alter the coming darkness; Domina Pearl, the sorceress who is pushing the city even further on its path of destruction; and Mag and Faey, two mysterious women who hold some of the past, present and future of Ombria inside them. In tone more gothic horror than straight fantasy, this somber novel lacks a clear protagonist, each character being more intent on finding his or her own path than fighting any clear battle. But the fine prose is nothing less than what one would expect from a World Fantasy Award winner, while the detailed portraits of the dying city coupled with the gloomy attitude of its citizenry are quite chilling. (Jan. 8) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

"Like the royal tutor (a key figure), the novel 'wavers between history and magic,' and the ornate, occasionally mannered prose conceals both wit and intelligence."-The Washington Post Book World "An intriguing and compelling portrait of a city born of light and shadow, whose citizens may discover the means to cross the borders between the real and the merely possible. The author's graceful prose and remarkable depth of characterization bring to life a tale of love and loyalty that transcends time and space."-Library Journal (starred review) "This is absolutely the most pleasing book Patricia A. McKillip has written in years...a swift-moving journey through a maze of truth, loss, secrets, bravery, temptation, obsession, magic, and ultimately, love."-SF Site "A swift, dark dream of a book...Masterfully turning old fairy tales on their heads as she pits the horrors of unchecked avarice and spells-for-hire against those very different forces, keen wits and steadfast love, McKillip maintains a delicate balance throughout Ombria in Shadows."-Locus "A ghostly tale of human emotions gone astray in a city that lives and dies in endless cycles...fine prose."-Publishers Weekly