A welcome return!, 09 Oct 2008
Years after its publication in German (?!), the conclusion of Judith Merkle Riley's Margaret trilogy has been published in English. Unlike many other series, you needn't have read the earlier books to thoroughly enjoy this one. I barely remember the plots of the first two Margaret books and hadn't been enamored of them (Riley's later book The Oracle Glass, however, is one of my all-time favorites)--but I found The Water Devil a rollicking read.

Riley is a fluid, graceful writer. Her characters and the dynamics among them are convincing even when, at times, they shouldn't be (the relationship between Margaret and her husband, for instance, would have been considered progressive in the 1950s, let alone in the 14th century). Perhaps best of all, these are characters that one enjoys spending time with.

All that's left to do now is hope that Riley is working on her next book...

A welcome return!, 09 Oct 2008
Years after its publication in German (?!), the conclusion of Judith Merkle Riley's Margaret trilogy has been published in English. Unlike many other series, you needn't have read the earlier books to thoroughly enjoy this one. I barely remember the plots of the first two Margaret books and hadn't been enamored of them (Riley's later book The Oracle Glass, however, is one of my all-time favorites)--but I found The Water Devil a rollicking read.

Riley is a fluid, graceful writer. Her characters and the dynamics among them are convincing even when, at times, they shouldn't be (the relationship between Margaret and her husband, for instance, would have been considered progressive in the 1950s, let alone in the 14th century). Perhaps best of all, these are characters that one enjoys spending time with.

All that's left to do now is hope that Riley is working on her next book...

HISTORICAL fiction, 02 Jan 2002
If you like a good story in a well set historical background, "A vision of light" by J.M. Riley could be just the book for you.
It tells the story of Margaret of Ashbury in 14th century England, who is gifted with a power to heal - a dangerous ability in these times. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns.
The book is followed by two sequels (one so far only published in German?), but the story is complete in itself.
"A vision of light" is sometimes advertised as a romance, but in my eyes it is not. I am only an amateur but to me the historical background seems a lot better researched than is standard for a fiction book. But J.M. Riley brings the medieval world to life so wonderfully and draws believable character portraits. I would like to name "A Vision of Light" one of the best historical novels I have ever read.