Author: Lynn Abbey
Title: Daughter of the Brightmoon
Year published: 1979
Review: This isn’t an old book, but it is one of the classic examples of sword and sorcery from the late 70’s. What is more unusual is a strong female character.
Rifkind is the daughter of the chief and marked by the Goddess. This sets her apart. After her clan is destroyed, driven by her destiny she heads to strange lands and the one she was always meant to destroy.
This follows many of the well known tropes; chosen one, marked by destiny, odd child, driven by fate, woman in a mans role – but what makes it work is both Lynn Abbey’s writing and Rifkind’s stubborn refusal to be anything except herself. And well Turin, a telepathic horse. How can you not want to read about a telepathic horse. While there are hints of a romance in the story, it isn’t a romance, it is a story about a woman who finds her own path regardless of what gods or men think she should do.
One of the things I love about this book are the illustrations. Not on the chapter headers, but throughout the book are random illustrations that make it feel richer and draw in you. There is a sequel to it, though it lacked the magic this first novel had, it is still excellent.
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