When a sword and sorcery book begins with humor, it's fairly well guaranteed to be an excellent read. From the beginning action sequence of Kelyn, the raven-haired, bold, honest-to-a-fault adventurer, defending her mother's funeral pyre from marauders, to resolving her first love, this book whips along with impressive fight choreography, excellent background descriptions, and fascinating plotlines. Tossed in are enjoyable characters, quick dialogue and a curse that Kelyn struggles with: Kelyn of Ketura, a civilized barbarian, skilled with the ironwood staff inherited from her mother, is instructed to go on a quest by her Aunt Rika, a witch. She is to find Thainn—the famed Wolverine and the father who abandoned her. Guided by an enchanted needle that points to trouble, she begins rescuing various people, including children who belong to the Traders, a nomadic witch tribe. Kelyn travels with them for a while, trading flippant barbs with the handsome Endre. They are trying to outdo each other in protecting the tribe, when through a miscommunication all end up captured. Kelyn argues with pretty much everyone on how to handle every situation and she's gradually proven right on all counts. Her charming confidence is only mildly shaken when she runs into her mythical Wolverine father, who is working for the other side. Kelyn is definitely her own person, sure in her sense of what's right, with the brash bravery and swashbuckling style to back it up. All situations are satisfactorily resolved, some with Xena-type muscle, and the rest with such intelligence you look forward to the sequels. KLIATT Codes: JSA—Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advancedstudents, and adults. 2000, Baen, 309p.18cm, $6.99. Ages 13 to adult. Reviewer: Liz LaValley; Mattapoisett, MA, May 2000 (Vol. 34 No. 3)