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“She is worth it, always and ever��

Guy Gavriel Kay’s fascinating urban fantasy, YSABEL is the story of 15 year old Ned Marriner who, in the process of discovering and exploring the strength and wonder of the magic of his ancient ancestral heritage, blunders into a no-holds-barred battle between a determined Celtic warrior and a Roman soldier who are fighting for the love of an eternal temptress named Ysabel. Despite the spectacularly unfinished flavour of the story, readers will be enchanted by Kay’s story-telling prowess �� the budding romance between Ned and a New York exchange student in Aix-en-Provence that he meets by chance while scouting out locations for his father’s upcoming photo book; the re-establishment of a loving relationship between two estranged sisters; the power and importance of romantic love and mutual respect in a successful marriage; the respect for rules of engagement in an honourable war; the electric, near unavoidable sexual attraction of two people thrown together in stressful circumstances and much, much more.

YSABEL must be considered an overwhelming success for lovers of the fantasy genre. It skillfully combines realism, compelling narrative description of a wonderful location, urban modernity, romance and persevering love, teenage angst and blossoming romance and, of course, the strength of magic and mind.

Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss