by Guy Gavriel Kay
As Ysabel opens, we're introduced to Ned Marriner, an average, if slightly disaffected, teenager from Canada. Ned has been taken out of school to accompany his photographer father to Southern France. Within the first few pages, Ned finds himself in the middle of a rivalry between very old, supernatural forces. As the story progresses he - and his friends and family - become more and more deeply drawn into the conflict.
Kay lived in Provence while he wrote Ysabel and the story is a race across this part of France to save one of Ned's companions. In a couple of instances, the story becomes something of a travelogue. That is, the characters visit one of the many sites in Provence that are full of history and mythic connections, but little happens. The plot is not moved forward and the reader does not learn anything new about the characters. I have a feeling, in these instances, Kay couldn't bare to leave the location out, and shoe-horned it into the story. However, this is a minor fault. Indeed, it is not always easy to leave out a wonderful setting that drips atmosphere. Just read any Gothic novel from the 18th century; their authors certainly couldn't.
Happily, most of the locations Kay uses are integrated seamlessly into a naturally flowing narrative. The characters slip back and forth between this world and the Celtic Otherworld. By using the history and folklore of Provence, Kay creates a believable story of the mythic past erupting into our modern world. It has an authentic feel. There are no rootless vampires or werewolves. The super-natural elements of the book are naturally occurring - they simply seep up from the ground, and out of the ancient stones of Provence.
Overall, it is an enjoyable urban fantasy that brings Provence's mythic past to life.