From Publishers Weekly
Second to Bloodwinter in Dietz's Tale of Eron series, this bulked-up and lumbering fantasy quest traces two coming-of-age journeys to the citadel of King Gynn of Eron, realm of scholar-artists. All of Dietz's principals are frozen fast in near-terminal adolescent angst. Hero Avall, a gifted noble smith, slogs through the frozen Wild, paralleling the course of antihero Eddyn, a flawed renegade genius, thief and murderer, ravager of Avall's artistic masterpiece and rapist of Strynn, Avall's wife. Eron is threatened by barbarous King Barrax of Ixti to the south; to defend their land, Avall and his comrades must learn to wield newly discovered gems with mysterious and frightening powers. An identifying list would help readers to untangle Dietz's mass of stereotypic secondary figures, writhing in the grasp of his wordy attempts to flesh out his several topics: the necessity of war, like a controlled forest burn, to renew society; a Protestant-like religious crusade to overthrow a domineering priesthood; and the power of the creative human mind to change the world. Dietz tries gamely to present a convincing fictional world, but scenes of gruesome violence and unusual sexual groupings may turn off the queasy. Clearly a transitional stage in the saga, this narrative also tends to lose traction and get stuck in inter- and intra-clan political machinations difficult to unravel without knowledge of the previous volume. (July) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The discovery of a cache of magical gems by a trio of young master weaponsmiths sets off a chain of events that brings the land of Ebron to the brink of war. As Avall and his wife, Strynn, seek to understand how to use their newfound powers, their rival, Eddyn, pursues his own bitter course of ambition and revenge. Continuing the story begun in Bloodwinter, Dietz!s latest novel depicts a battered realm beset by dissension from within and threatened by enemies from without. Intelligent, realistic characters and an intriguing approach to magic make this fantasy adventure a good choice for most libraries. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The sequel to Bloodwinter (1999) adds to Deitz's reputation for intelligent, action-packed fantasy. After a badly needed summary of its predecessor, Eddyn and Avall continue their journey toward the royal citadel, still sniping at each other and seeking to gain the advantage. As spring comes and campaigning season opens, the opposing army of the Ixtians turns out to be led by Avall's sister Merryn, and therefrom stems the book's physical conflicts. Its magical mysteries are something else entirely and considerably deadlier. The ensuing confrontation, which doesn't necessarily conclude Deitz's exploitation of his well-conceived fantasy world, contains enough action, secondary characters, spells, swordplay, plots, subplots, and counterplots, as well as everything else that is customary in large fantasy novels these days, to be demanding but satisfactory. Perhaps the average fantasy reader will find it not great but definitely good. Still, there are plenty of those average readers around. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


From Kirkus Reviews
Second installment of Deitz's extended fantasy, begun with Bloodwinter (1999), about the quarreling kingdoms of frigid Eron and desert Ixti. Eronese master craftsman Avall has discovered a remarkable gem that, when fed blood, confers various mental powers. Others, however, scheme to relieve him of it: Avall's rival, the rapist Eddyn; the exiled Prince Kraxxi of Ixti (how useful it would be, he thinks, in the war his father is planning against Eron); and a bunch of renegade priests, fearful that the gem allows direct contact with their eightfold god (thus rendering their priesthood superfluous). Matters wallow along in a morass of plots, treachery, double-dealing, and cliffhangers. Deitz does supply a recap, but overall this is heavy and rather unpleasant stuff, best suited to fans of the previous book. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
Praise for Bloodwinter:

"Deitz's unusual setting and strong, magnetic characters bode well for this new series, where loyalty seems to be as dangerous a character flaw as raw ambition."
-- Publishers Weekly


Review
Praise for Bloodwinter:

"Deitz's unusual setting and strong, magnetic characters bode well for this new series, where loyalty seems to be as dangerous a character flaw as raw ambition."
-- Publishers Weekly


Book Description
From the author of Bloodwinter comes the continuation of that epic tale, as two rival kingdoms clash while heroes, heroines, and rogues on both sides -- and no side -- vie for control of a world-altering magic more powerful than anyone's wildest imaginings.

As the realm of Eron sits frozen in the grip of winter, two men struggle through the snow-clogged Wild toward the citadel of their king: the arrogant goldsmith Eddyn, haunted by his past crimes, and his bitter rival, Avall, anxious to increase the power of his clan. Each man brings news of a magical gem discovered in the northern mines.

Meanwhile, Avall's twin sister, Merryn, and her lover, exiled prince Kraxxi, have been captured by Kraxxi's outraged father. As Ixti's king readies his first assault in a devastating war against an unsuspecting Eron, he will force Merryn and Kraxxi to terrible betrayals that will bring Eron's fall ever nearer.

As the armies of Ixti crash across the border, Avall and Eddyn must seek their destinies. For each knows the power of the magical gem and can use it for unbelievable good -- or unimaginable evil.



From the Inside Flap
From the author of Bloodwinter comes the continuation of that epic tale, as two rival kingdoms clash while heroes, heroines, and rogues on both sides -- and no side -- vie for control of a world-altering magic more powerful than anyone's wildest imaginings.

As the realm of Eron sits frozen in the grip of winter, two men struggle through the snow-clogged Wild toward the citadel of their king: the arrogant goldsmith Eddyn, haunted by his past crimes, and his bitter rival, Avall, anxious to increase the power of his clan. Each man brings news of a magical gem discovered in the northern mines.

Meanwhile, Avall's twin sister, Merryn, and her lover, exiled prince Kraxxi, have been captured by Kraxxi's outraged father. As Ixti's king readies his first assault in a devastating war against an unsuspecting Eron, he will force Merryn and Kraxxi to terrible betrayals that will bring Eron's fall ever nearer.

As the armies of Ixti crash across the border, Avall and Eddyn must seek their destinies. For each knows the power of the magical gem and can use it for unbelievable good -- or unimaginable evil.



From the Back Cover
Praise for Bloodwinter:

"Deitz's unusual setting and strong, magnetic characters bode well for this new series, where loyalty seems to be as dangerous a character flaw as raw ambition."
-- Publishers Weekly


About the Author
"Deitz's unusual setting and strong, magnetic characters bode well for this new series, where loyalty seems to be as dangerous a character flaw as raw ambition."
-- Publishers Weekly

FROM THE PUBLISHER

As the realm of Eron sits frozen in the grip of winter, two men struggle through the snow-clogged Wild toward the citadel of their king: the arrogant goldsmith Eddyn, haunted by his past crimes, and his bitter rival, Avall, anxious to increase the power of his clan. Each man brings news of a magical gem discovered in the northern mines." "Meanwhile, Avall's twin sister, Merryn, and her lover, exiled prince Kraxxi, have been captured by Kraxxi's outraged father. As Ixti's king readies his first assault in a devastating war against an unsuspecting Eron, he will force Merryn and Kraxxi to terrible betrayals that will bring Eron's fall ever nearer. As the armies of Ixti crash across the border, Avall and Eddyn must seek their destinies. For each knows the power of the magical gem and can use it for unbelievable good - or unimaginable evil.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Second to Bloodwinter in Dietz's Tale of Eron series, this bulked-up and lumbering fantasy quest traces two coming-of-age journeys to the citadel of King Gynn of Eron, realm of scholar-artists. All of Dietz's principals are frozen fast in near-terminal adolescent angst. Hero Avall, a gifted noble smith, slogs through the frozen Wild, paralleling the course of antihero Eddyn, a flawed renegade genius, thief and murderer, ravager of Avall's artistic masterpiece and rapist of Strynn, Avall's wife. Eron is threatened by barbarous King Barrax of Ixti to the south; to defend their land, Avall and his comrades must learn to wield newly discovered gems with mysterious and frightening powers. An identifying list would help readers to untangle Dietz's mass of stereotypic secondary figures, writhing in the grasp of his wordy attempts to flesh out his several topics: the necessity of war, like a controlled forest burn, to renew society; a Protestant-like religious crusade to overthrow a domineering priesthood; and the power of the creative human mind to change the world. Dietz tries gamely to present a convincing fictional world, but scenes of gruesome violence and unusual sexual groupings may turn off the queasy. Clearly a transitional stage in the saga, this narrative also tends to lose traction and get stuck in inter- and intra-clan political machinations difficult to unravel without knowledge of the previous volume. (July) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

KLIATT

Springwar begins where the first novel in the series, Bloodwinter, left off. In the northern realm of Eron, the race to bring the newfound gems and their powerful secrets across the dangerous Deep of winter continues. In southern Ixti, King Barrax's son, Kraxxi, and his Eronese love, Merryn, have been captured and suffer torture under Barrax. As a result of extreme mental coercion, Merryn reveals a means of bringing down the impenetrable War Hold of Eron. The successful siege launches Ixti up towards the heart of Eron, where King Gynn must defend his country despite broiling internal politics and the personal imperfection that could cost him his throne. Young Avall, kept from death only by the power of his gem, is still plagued by the actions of his dangerous rival, Eddyn. Pregnant Strynn fights her way with Rann and Div to reach Gynn's citadel, giving birth to her son along the journey. Battles scar the plains of Eron and all are thrown into the forge of change. Kingdoms are won and lost. Some will find new burdens of responsibility, some meet terrible deaths on the field of war, and finally, for others, there is hope of redemption. (Sexual situations. Violence.) KLIATT Codes: A—Recommended for advanced students, and adults. 2000, Bantam/Spectra, 437p, 24cm, 99-047800, $13.95. Ages 17 to adult. Reviewer: Lynn Rosser; Freelance Writer, Asheville, NC January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)

Library Journal

The discovery of a cache of magical gems by a trio of young master weaponsmiths sets off a chain of events that brings the land of Ebron to the brink of war. As Avall and his wife, Strynn, seek to understand how to use their newfound powers, their rival, Eddyn, pursues his own bitter course of ambition and revenge. Continuing the story begun in Bloodwinter, Dietz s latest novel depicts a battered realm beset by dissension from within and threatened by enemies from without. Intelligent, realistic characters and an intriguing approach to magic make this fantasy adventure a good choice for most libraries. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Dragon

Few writers match personal crisis with epic conflict as effectively [as Deitz].

Kirkus Reviews

Second installment of Deitz's extended fantasy, begun with Bloodwinter (1999), about the quarreling kingdoms of frigid Eron and desert Ixti. Eronese master craftsman Avall has discovered a remarkable gem that, when fed blood, confers various mental powers. Others, however, scheme to relieve him of it: Avall's rival, the rapist Eddyn; the exiled Prince Kraxxi of Ixti (how useful it would be, he thinks, in the war his father is planning against Eron); and a bunch of renegade priests, fearful that the gem allows direct contact with their eightfold god (thus rendering their priesthood superfluous). Matters wallow along in a morass of plots, treachery, double-dealing, and cliffhangers. Deitz does supply a recap, but overall this is heavy and rather unpleasant stuff, best suited to fans of the previous book.