Week 21

weigh in, week 21: -1.6 pounds
total weight lost: -15.2 pounds

The Compass Rose by Gail Dayton
Description of book from the back cover.
"The legends of the Godstruck were just that-legends.
Until, in an attempt to defend her people, captain Kallista Varyl called on the One for aid and was granted abilities such as no one had seen in centuries.
Now Kallista has been charged with a new destiny as one of the most powerful women in the land-but her power is useless if it cannot be controlled.
Mastering her "Godstruck" abilities is the first step. The next, learning that she cannot unlock the secrets of the Compass Rose and defeat her nation's enemy alone. And finally she must stop a demon-possessed king...

The Compass Rose: Fourfold magic barely understood or contained...."

I really enjoyed this book. My work schedule didn't allow me to read it as fast as I usually read, but I think that was a good thing in this case. It allowed me the time to really savor the story.

I enjoyed the contrast of the two rival societies. One a matriarchal society where men are moving towards gender equality, magic is practiced and magic users are nurtured, and group marriage is practiced. The other is a patriarchal society with a rigid caste system, women are casteless, and magic users are killed or maimed and used to hunt down other magic users.

The Compass Rose is the first book in a trilogy. The second book is The Barbed Rose, available as of March 2006.