  Very well written, but vaugely unsatisfying, 2001-07-06
This book is an excellent continuation of Damiano's story. However, I was very unimpressed with the way Damiano was portrayed in the beginning of the book. At the end of the first novel, we find Damiano striding happily away with Raphael near him. All in all, I believe that the autor has not given us a good explanation of Dami's sudden change of mood. I found the first part of the book rather boring, and found Saara the much more interesting charachter. As I got farther in to the book, I found the next part far more interesting. Even so, this trilogy is still a very good read, although the second book let me down a little. It wasn't at all like what I had envisioned, but it was still an interesting read. I still think, however, her first and third books are much better.
A very satisfying book, great trilogy, 2000-09-24
Saara turned, and her green eyes widened. "You" she whispered, half to herself. "Dark boy. Damiano!" One hand, small, pink and slender, made a circling gesture. And the lute player knew her as well: Saara of the Saami, barefoot girl who was the greatest witch in all the Italies. Damiano knew her powers as well, having hoth suffered them and stolen them. But now all the strength was hers and he had none at all. Damiano felt himself step closer to the witch, though he did not know how he did it, not having a body with which to step. "I knew you would come at last, Dami" said Saara softly. "Part of your soul is waiting here." He reached out one doomed, immaterial hand. "Saara," he whispered. "Pikku Saara. You should not be so beautiful. "I found Damiano's Lute very absorbing. The author's ability to bring to vivid life the general background of this period of history, and yet interweave it with the type of fantasy which was actually accepted in that day of positive faith is truly amazing. I really found this book to be more compelling than the first. The scenes of the Black Death dreadful as they were, come through as if taken from eyewitness accounts." -Andre Norton
Lyrically written fantasy, 1999-11-16
It is difficult to categorize this book, and its companion volumes "Damiano" and "Raphael." Each is a "period piece," focused on Europe during the years of the Black Death, and written as an inside look at alternate history. The author's gift for bringing one into the story makes this trilogy suitable for any and all readers. Damiano is a paradox, an apprentice magician who believes in God and speaks with the archangel Raphael. This juxtaposition is made possible by his avocation, playing the lute-- which apparently pays the bulls better than sorcery. He meets a variety of medevial characters throughout the story, some fanciful and some mundane, some historical and some used as historical samples of everyday life, and all richly portrayed. Damiano's humanity is his best weapon in the fight to survive the fourteenth century, a chaotic period brought to life in non-fiction by Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror." His guardian angel provides a superb counterpoint to his earthly concerns, and reminds the reader of the purity of spirituality. This trilogy is an unconventional, utterly captivating look at the conflict between good and evil, told in a style that makes all of the characters easily accessible to any reader. Enjoy.
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