Ursula’s Quest Book Two of the Witchcraft Wars – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

“Tell me Slade, do you know much about the legend of the Temple of Life?” “Yes, it’s a very old legend. It comes from Kemet I think. Something about the gods building a temple to guard a portal that supposedly led to the realm of the gods. I don’t remember all of it but it’s nothing more than a legend.” “But what if the legend were true?” Slade started to laugh until he saw how serious Nikolai was; he actually believed in the myth. “You may well laugh but I have come across many strange things in my studies. Strange and troubling things,” Nikolai said. “About the Temple?” “Yes and no. I believe that outside the legend itself very little has ever been said or is known about the Temple. I have, however, discovered from my research that portals from one dimension to another do actually exist.” Slade looked hard at Nikolai, his immediate thought was that the necromancer’s brain had been addled from the blow to his head, but he could see that Nikolai clearly believed what he was saying was the truth. “What other dimensions? There is only this world and the realm of the gods,” Slade said eventually. “To the sight and understanding of most people that is true but I assure you I have found that we are but one of many different dimensions.” “I don’t understand. Do you mean other worlds like our own or…” Slade trailed off, he didn’t even really know how to frame the question.’

In book one of the Witchcraft Wars, Slade, as well as several others that escaped with him, are traveling in hopes of finding the answer to his dreams where he believes his father High King Erich is talking to him. In his first dream he was told to follow the trunk which turned out to be a human that helped him in his escape. In his second dream his father sends him on a search for the Dragon Clan hopes of finding the Great Dragon.

Ursula, Slade’s sister, is having dreams of her own that she believes are coming from their father. In her dream King Erich tells her to search the ruins for the key. So with the help of Ming, her childhood playmate, as well as three others that join them, she finds herself deep in the Temple looking for the answers and the key. As it turns out, there are three keys that must be found and so far Ursula knows of one while Trunk knows of the second.

Both brother and sister must complete their mission before the war between the kingdoms gets underway and before the witch known as Shallendara finds the key herself. Shallendra’s quest, so it appears, is to use the key to open the portals to the gods and increase her own powers. But, opening the portals will not only destroy the world but Shallendara too will be destroyed.

As in Book One of the Witchcraft Wars, author Tracey Alley has created a story that holds you spellbound and hoping that someone will find the key soon before all is lost. I’m again anticipating Book Three to see who the holder of the third key turns out to be. And to see if Ursula and Slade are able to save the world from the destruction caused by Shallendara. With author Tracey Alley, anything could happen, good or bad.

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