1980: Watchtower

In a world of warriors and lovers, war and honor, the legendary Tornor Keep is the tower that guards the winter end of the summer realm of Arun. But when Tornor is invaded by raiders, a young prince is the tower's last hope. Only he can protect the future of this enchanting land. Why it's on the list Watchtower takes you to another time and place. It allows you to escape your body and experience the world of Arun. Lynn creates a demanding presence with all of her characters that keeps reading this book constantly at the top of your to-do list. Lynn's story contains all the standard fantasy elements: an exiled prince, a devoted manservant, an evil traitor, and a tranquil vale. What's special about Watchtower is that first impressions don't do it justice. This is a story filled with many understated issues and uncommon themes. Thanks to the gentler pace, the reader has time to engage with the difficult temperaments of each character and to discover the strange yet somehow familiar imagined landscape. The trilogy deals delicately and intelligently with the issues of sexual identity of the numerous characters woven through the plotlines.