1990: Madouc

Author: Vance, Jack
The story follows the protagonist, Madouc, and the adventures around her quest for her pedigree. Casimir, the ruthlessly devious king of Lyonesse, has discovered that the girl he initially thought was his granddaughter, Madouc, is actually a changeling. Somehow this fact is wrapped up in the mystery around the son of the King of Troicenet, Dhrun, whom prophesy says will become the next king of the Elder Isles. This is not something that Casimir will allow to happen. The throne is meant for him alone.But at the same time there are far bigger, murkier schemes in play. Tamurello, an evil magician and the witch Desmei are plotting against the Elder Isle's greatest mage who is, alone, responsible for keeping the Elder Isle's from plummeting into the ocean.Why it's on the listMadouc is the last book in the trilogy of a classic Fantasy Tale. Vance takes the myths from a number of cultures and fuses them into an entirely enjoyable tale. The Elder Isles are eventually saved, although it is at a terrible cost. Finally Madouc even learns where she comes from. What is so entertaining is that the book surprises you with nifty little references to other ancient stories.All told - Madouc is a gorgeous closing chapter to an incredible trilogy.Read if you likeSword and Sorcery, Fairy Tales

Booklists having this book

World Fantasy Awards for Best Novel

Each year the World Fantasy Convention awards the years best English language fantasy fiction with the respected World Fantasy Awards prize.The World Fantasy Awards are, together with the Hugo and... Read more

Other books by Vance, Jack

Lyonesse

If you were to open a copy of Lyonesse and give it a good shake, a bunch of (very annoyed) fairies would fall out. Because they're everywhere in this book.... Read more

The Green Pearl

 Read more

Madouc (1990)

Madouc by Jack Vance won the 1990 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel Read more

Madouc

 Read more

Lyonesse Trilogy

High kings, evil sorcerers, exiled princes, tricky fairies, and willful princesses  this highly influential series has it all. There is nothing derivative about this series, being one of the founding... Read more

The Green Pearl

 Read more

Tales Of The Dying Earth

Tale of the Dying Earth truly stands as one of the greatest works ever penned. Everything that's good and bad about the human condition is eloquently expressed within this tale.... Read more

The Eyes Of The Overworld

 Read more

Cugel's Saga

 Read more

Rhialto The Marvellous

 Read more

Madouc

 Read more

1990: Madouc

The story follows the protagonist, Madouc, and the adventures around her quest for her pedigree. Casimir, the ruthlessly devious king of Lyonesse, has discovered that the girl he initially thought... Read more

News