Prince of Ill Luck

It is not often that you find realistic characters in a fantsy novel completely involved in a fantasy world... Generally you find fantasy characters in such a world. Just a bit too different in their thinking to be truely related to. Susan Dexter has created wonderful characters which are perfect for the story she is writing and perfect for the world they are in without making them unbelievable. A great fantasy.

The Prince of Ill Luck is the story of Leith, Prince of the Isles, whom everyone believes was born "demon-cursed." Everywhere he goes, disaster follows in his wake: earthquakes, boats capsizing, buildings collapsing, etc. When he is the sole survivor of a shipwreck, he has no idea where he is, no money, no food, nothing. Then he finds Valadan, a magical warhorse wandering the interior of the isle. With Valadan's help, he is able to win the hand of the duke's daughter...but Kessallandria never intended to be won. So Leith strikes a bargain with her - he won't hold her to her promise of marriage if he can come with her to find her mother, a witch, whom he hopes can lift his curse. This is the inauspicious beginning to a grand adventure between a headstrong young lady searching for her mother, a witch, and exploring her own powers, and the Prince of the Isles, whose deplorably bad luck follows him wherever he goes.This was a superb novel. The story was finely crafted, the characters were full of life and fun to get to know, the Isle of Esdragon became real to the reader, in short, it had absolutely everything a fantasy could wish for - and it was funny, too! I highly recommend searching this book out and buying it, you will not regret it!

The hero, Leith, is decidedly original. Plagued by bad luck all his life, he has a series of misadventures. He meant to get the gold ring on top of the glass mountian so that he could sell it to keep the marvelous war-horse, Valadan. Unfortunately, the ring came with an unwanted prize. Her name was Kessalia, and she very much resented the fact that he had won her little contest. Various incidents, some humorous and some not, follow as the two go on an anti-heroic quest to find Kess' mother. No flashing swords or bright armor here... I strongly recommend The Prince of Ill Luck! It has some of the better characters I've ever seen, and the premise is certainly unusual.

Just have to tell you all that if you are not reading this author you are doing yourself SUCH a disservice! From the frist time I picked up Prince of Ill Luck in the library during a very snowy winter out of desperation, I was hooked, and happily, too. The plots are intriquing, the land is addicting, and the characters, well let's just say I loved them so much I named my role playing character Kessalia... :)

I REALLY loved the warhorse series. This one in particular. Very engaging characters and stories. Left me wanting more, so I've read all her stuff now...