The Australian editions
So that's the series. I think that's the first time I read a duology. They're not very common, either, so it's not really surprising. I'm not sure if Bradley's Avalon-books qualify to that category...
The second book revealed more of this world's secrets and concluded the story, with a (relatively) happy ending and all that. Compared to say, Meyer, this was at times so desperate, it seemed as if everything was doomed - the main character about to die, the evil wizard was made king, the prince had to sacrifice his friend for the kingdom... and I was thrilled! It felt so good that there were good times and bad times (all these deaths, amazing). It felt almost real. (:
What did we get from this book/series? Firstly, another point of view on magic (in this world you had to pay with your own blood literally for the (Doranen) magic you did). Secondly, the author analyzed the thin line between the king's authority and laws (who knows better - a woman 600 years dead who made the country blossom or the reigning monarch in desperate need of keeping power away from the wrong hands?). Eventually greed, strict obedience of laws and misunderstandings (mostly due to lack of trying) led to destruction (which had to be mended with more 'breaking the law')...
So who knows better, actually? Is it wiser to follow laws strictly, even if they may seem stupid or pointless (what use is banning the use of Olken doing magic if Olken cannot seem to do magic?) or should authoritative people have the right to bend the law to their will, in order to grant the welfare of everyone? It's a tricky question, actually. There are so many people who, if given power, would take advantage of it. There's no way to tell if a man has good intentions or not since life's stage is full of actors and actresses. So by saying that the law applies to everyone... you keep power from reaching the wrong hands. But what if the power were to reach right hands? Someone who knows how to use it for everyone's benefit? What if the law were to get in the way of doing a good deed? Does the end justify the means?
I was once told that finding a 'third party' who doesn't have a 'personal' interest in the matter is virtually impossible. (The topic then was providing humanitarian aid for countries in need via military means and we hoped we could find a third party to determine which countries actually need the help...) It makes sense actually. It's a very-very naive thought, since everything around us has a direct or indirect effect on us. If we're involved in anything, its results affect us directly.
So if one were to have the power to do so, one would most likely wish to grand oneself a better life (there really isn't anyone (maybe a few) like Hobb's Mountain Kingdom royalty who literally served their people)... and that's already misusing the power. Generally laws put a stop to that and if one can bypass those boundaries, there's no telling what one will do.
It's kind of tormenting to watch (read), though. If you're reading the book from the 'good guy's' perspective, you know his thoughts and personality pretty much through and through. And if you see someone with his people's needs in mind... someone like that deserves to be free to do as he sees best since he knows what he's doing! But that's all book-stuff. In reality you can't waltz into someone else's mind and see what their intentions look like.. can you? No, guess not.
There was also a bit about expectations and living up to them... and what happens if living up to them simply isn't meant to be. I'm talking of Prince Gar the Magickless, the cripple, an inkblot on the royal scroll... In this book he gets a chance to fulfill his purpose as a member of the royal family (which was actually part of the evil mastermind's plan)... seems like a gift from Barl, doesn't it? But the plan also meant that that chance did not last forever.
And as it turns out, some people have hidden qualities to them (you know, like 600 years ago a prophet said that you'll have magical abilites). On the one hand, using these abilities means breaking the most important law. On the other hand, if kept secret, it could save the kingdom. Fascinating, really.
What else was there? The secret society (who knows the truth hidden from the public), placing duty above all else... the pawn-thing ended kind of well - obviously at first there was resentment but in the end love conquered it all. (: But that's not all there is to the story, obviously.
Also, I have to say that the final pages went by way too quickly. The final battle was quite short compared to the events that led up to it. I've yet to decide whether that's a good thing.
I'm hoping my cousin owns more of Miller's books (those two were his, actually), since it was quite a good read. I enjoyed her style and story (in fact, at times I got so excited I felt like screaming ;D)... Can't wait for more!
PS. I think I use too many brackets.
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