Are you among the many whose first fantasy book was an Andre Norton young adult novel? Scent of Magic is the latest in a long line of good old-fashioned Norton sword-and-sorcery tales. As always, Norton provides an intriguing premise: in this world, both good and evil magic are tied to plants and their scents.

The orphan Willadene has "the ability to recognize and name the most subtle of mixed scents," including the taint of evil. After she saves Hawice the Herbmistress from a magical trap, Hawice brings her to the Ducal castle. There Willadene meets the Duke's sheltered daughter Mahart, who is preparing for a marriage that will give her father an heir. Willadene also works with Nicolas, who spies for the Duke. When Mahart is abducted after meeting Prince Lorien, her intended fiancé, Willadene, Nicolas, and the Prince set out to find her and track down those responsible. Mahart and Willadene prove brave and resourceful, equal partners in the final struggle.

The writing isn't always up to Norton's standards; sentences are sometimes of baroque complexity. But fans of the Witch World series and those nostalgic for fairy-tale fantasy should seek out Scent of Magic. --Nona Vero


From Publishers Weekly
The veteran Norton concocts a heady mixture of Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and aromatherapy in this new magical adventure. Scullery maid Willadene, 16, no sooner escapes from her cruel Aunt Jacoba's tavern than her gift, the ability to nose out the auras of Good and Evil, leads her into the service of innocent young High Lady Mahart, the victim of gorgeously wicked Aunt Saylana, who is scheming for the ducal throne of Kronengred?and more. To counterpoint her adolescent girl heroines Willadene and Mahart, Norton swirls familiar ingredients into her time-tested story recipe (the Witch World series), such as the intrepid spy Nicolas, the dashing warrior-prince Lorien, assorted evil uglies both human and unearthly and an enigmatic creature named Ssssaaa, the most intriguing of the lot. After 60 years of creating popular fantasy worlds, Norton can be forgiven the few dangling ends and generally conventional approach of this aromatic Disney-esque sword-and-sorcery tale. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Willadene's keen sense of smell, allowing her to distinguish the odors of good and evil, transforms her from scullery maid to herbalist's apprentice and places her at the center of an ancient war between the powers of light and darkness. The latest novel by sf/fantasy grande dame Norton brings together a varied cast of appealing characters caught in an intricate web of intrigue and treachery. Skilled storytelling and a new twist on magic make this a good choice for most fantasy and young adult collections.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
In a well-imagined fantasy dukedom, the environment is rich in odors, many of which carry magical potential for good or evil. Young Willadene, an abused orphan, possesses an extraordinarily acute sense of smell that has already made her a skilled herbalist and gives her the potential for near-magical powers. Rescued by benign figures from the ducal court, she is promptly plunged into increasingly complex, not to say deadly, intrigues. Norton is never less than competent at this sort of thing, and although parts of it show signs of haste, the underlying concept of magic vested in smells and the numerous glimpses of preindustrial manufacturing and craftsmanship represent her at her near-best. Norton fandom is long established, and every fantasy collection should strive to serve it with this volume. Roland Green


Tampa Tribune-Press
"A classic tale of good against evil...Norton has created a wonderful magical kingdon."


Milwaukee Shepherd Express
"Amazing...innovative...fascinating...Norton has found a chord seldom played in storytelling."



"A Superb Storyteller."


SF Site
"Memorable... intriquing and captivating."


Library Journal
"Skilled storytelling and a new twist on magic."


Peter Straub
"One of the all time masters."



"One Of The All-Time Masters."



"A Classic Tale of Good Against Evil . . . Norton Has Created A Wonderful Magical Kingdom."



"Well-Imagined Fantasy . . . Norton at her near-best."



"Very compelling . . . Fabulous Magics."


Book Description
An orphaned child and captive scullery maid, young Willadene possesses an uncanny ability to sense and understand the magical odors that pervade her world. It is this remarkable talent--or curse--that carries her far from the fetid kitchen into an apprenticeship with a revered herbalist and untimately to the highest circles of the Ducal court. But there is depravity lurking within the castle's walls, inspiring brazen treacheries and usurpations--and foul abduction as unthinkable as it is unexpected. Something horribly strange and forbidden struck at the dawn of a new day of corruption and terror. And an innocent girl finds the heightened sense that has been her fortune is now drawing her down into a maelstrom of evil.


About the Author
Over a celebrated career that has already spanned six decades, Andre Norton has written many highly regarded works of fantasy and science fiction, including Scent of Magic, Mirror of Destiny, The Hands of Lyr, Brother to Shadows, and the popular Witch World and Beast Master series. She has received lifetime achievement awards in both science fiction and fantasy, the most prestigious honors in her field. Ms. Norton presently resides in Tennessee.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Norton's latest creation is a faraway dukedom rich in intoxicating aromas: powerful fragrances carried on gentle breezes, some with the capacity to enchant and befuddle, some capable even of toppling great leaders from their thrones. A scullery maid - an orphaned child - possesses an uncanny ability to sense and understand the magical odors that pervade her world; a talent/curse that carries young Willadene far from the fetid kitchen and a repulsive impending marriage, into an apprenticeship with a revered herbalist and, ultimately, to the highest circles of the Ducal court. But there is a malevolence lurking within the castle's walls, inspiring brazen treacheries and usurpations...and a foul abduction as unthinkable as it is unexpected. Something horribly strange and forbidden has struck at the dawn of a new day of corruption and terror. And a young girl finds the heightened sense that has been her fortune now drawing her inextricably down into a maelstrom of evil. Now a great quest is in Willadene's future: a journey to a place of darkness; of tainted covenants and ancient battles of blood and sacrifice when monsters warred with heroes. For the extraordinary power that has molded her destiny is propelling her toward shocking self-knowledge and an impossible rescue in a realm of shadows, secrets, and devastated hope where the invincible lord of abominations reigns.

SYNOPSIS

Grand Master Andre Norton is one of science fiction and fantasy's greatest living legends. Norton's new novel, Scent of Magic, is a rich and intoxicating story of magic and adventure that is beautifully crafted, absorbing, and masterful. A young orphan named Willadene possesses the remarkable ability to understand the magical smells that waft through her land. But this gift soon turns into a curse when she is forced to journey to a dark and evil place.

FROM THE CRITICS

Starlog

Very compelling . . . Fabulous Magics.

Peter Straub

One Of The All-Time Masters.

New York Times Book Review

A Superb Storyteller.

Tampa Tribune-Times

A Classic Tale of Good Against Evil . . . Norton Has Created A Wonderful Magical Kingdom.

Milwaukee Shepherd Express