Tor (Hardcover), ISBN 0-312-87368-9
A vast cosmic body crashes into the lands far in the Northeast. Thousands of people wake screaming from nightmares of suffocation and flames. Many of these same people now possess terrifying powers never before seen in the lands of Ethshar.

Watt-Evans' powerfully written and wonderfully paced Night of Madness takes us on a journey with Hanner, an inept junior lord of Azrad's court who tries to pull together the possessors of the new Warlock magic. Dangerous times for Hanner and his group of warlocks follow.

Every kingdom in the land outlaws the new warlocks, executing all who wield the new magic. Many of the warlocks, filled with bravado and previously unfelt power, challenge established hierarchies for leadership. Even Lord Faran, Hanner's uncle, becomes seduced by the new magic and rebels against his king and wizard's guild.

Warlockry yields a strange power that grows stronger with use. However, as the power grows, so too does the Calling. The Calling, an overwhelming pull emanating from the artifact that fell and gave warlocks their original power, affects everyone afflicted with the new magic. This source constantly Calls the most powerful warlocks to its place of landfall, and the warlocks who follow the call seem to vanish from the lands forever.

Hanner attempts, despite his power-mad uncle, to convince Ethshar's wizards, witches and demonologists to accept the warlocks as a defined guild that will live and work peacefully alongside them. The key to this attempt lies with the Guild of Wizards. How will that ancient society view the new magical interlopers? Can Hanner use his pre-warlock contacts to promote unity and peace?

Watt-Evans keeps the reader entertained and in suspense as Hanner slowly pieces together the details of the night of madness. The resolution, like life itself, remains shadowy and uncertain.

Stephen John Smith

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