Master of Fiends

In this sequel to Blade of the Poisoner, 12-year-old Jarral, young Lady Mandra, and the two warriors Scythe and Archer set out to rescue their beloved - wizard Cryltaur Tabbetang - from the clutches of the Unnamed Enemy. But, of course, they first have to battle their way past monsters (lots of monsters, described in loving, gruesome detail), free a race of shaggy subterranean philosophers from a disembodied sorcerer, find a magic weapon, confront the entire Demon Horde, plus the Enemy's fiendish servant Annihilannic (twice!), and be variously burned, stabbed, demoralized, and hurled through the air. Each of the four companions has some special skill or talent, used to good effect in the headlong story; as Annihilannic romps over them in the climactic confrontation, Cryl, only apparently dead, uses his last strength to summon a handy demigod - who defeats the demon, sends the Enemy to eternal torment in the Farther Darkness, and sets the battered adventurers back on their feet. With Hill's quick summary of the previous book, this can stand alone. Sequels are probable but not necessary. A very violent action fantasy with heroes of both sexes, slightly less primitive than the author's science fiction. (Kirkus Reviews)