From Publishers Weekly
Three universes converge-faerie, goblin and human-in this impressive and provocative fantasy, the first of a new series from bestseller Tracy Hickman and [his] Dragonlance cocreator, Laura Hickman. Galen Arvad, a newly married blacksmith, struggles to discover the nature of a dream state connecting him with inhabitants of the faerie and goblin realms. Galen tries to hide this uncanny connection, but fails when he runs afoul of the Dragon Priests in Benyn Township, whose people equate magic with insanity. Galen's wife, Berkita, and his dwarf friend, Cephas, vow to rescue him. Meanwhile, Galen strives to understand how his fate intermingles with the destiny of a faerie Seeker who wishes to aid her war-torn people and a goblin toiling amid the vast mechanical machines left by Titans. This emotionally intense novel's meticulously crafted magical system and likable characters evoke an atmosphere both timely and timeless. While lively action sequences and rich descriptive passages provide plenty of excitement, mature examinations of politics and individual responsibility lend philosophical weight and emotional poignancy. Sure to hit many bestseller lists, this is a fine example of socially conscious and unpredictable imaginative fiction.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From AudioFile
Book One of the Bronze Chronicles is set in an age when those with talent in magic are herded up once a year and torn from their communities. When Galen is finally unable to hide his talent and is wrenched from his home and family, events are set in motion that will dramatically change the status quo. Lloyd James personifies his characters with imagination and style. With fairies and goblins and trolls, as well as humans, he has a wide range to work with. Whether the hint of some well-known public characters is intentional or merely in the mind of the listener, it adds an undertone of humor and energy to this adventure. J.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Mystic Warrior is about the convergence of parallel worlds. In the human/dragon world, hero Galen Arvad is the proverbial "Everyman." Galen is special but denies and fights his destiny because he prefers to be just a blacksmith with a beautiful wife and an ordinary life. Despite his efforts, Galen dreams of other worlds, and inanimate objects talk to him. In his world this is a very dangerous condition as individuals displaying abnormal behaviors are called out in annual "elections" and carted away to a mysterious fate. After years of hiding his affliction, Galen is captured, leaving behind his wife, Berkita, and his friend, the dwarf Cephas, who set out together to rescue him. The audio is read capably by Lloyd James, who differentiates among humans, dragons, faeries, and goblins very clearly. Though it takes James a while to establish the difference in intonation and accents among the races, eventually one can recognize who is speaking. Recommended for fantasy collections, particularly those where dragon tales are popular.-Nancy Reed, McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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