The Cup of the World by John Dickinson

I've read many, many fantasy stories in my time. I'd probably say that it's my favourite genre, so I was well chuffed to win a copy of The Cup of the World, the debut book from John Dickinson, as I had heard many positive things about it.

"Has the claustrophobic feel of a political and moral thriller that constantly surprises your expectations," says Books For Keeps.

They must have been reading some other book then. To put it bluntly, this book is boring. The first two parts (of three) boil down to a dull as it can get love story. Only in the third and final part is the action brought in, but by that time you're about ready to chuck it at the cat.

The Cup of the World started out really rather well, with witch trials, a girl who appears to have an angel as a companion, and a little bit of political wrangling that any half decent fantasy novel has to have. However, when you are shown who Phaedre's angel is, it goes downhill from there.

I suppose a quick synopsis is in order, for those out there who may want to read this dishwater.

Phaedra is the daughter of the warden of Trant, a frontier land in the kingdom. She has a companion that is only seen by her, who she can talk to in real life and meet its shadow in her dreams. Phaedra is very beautiful and is soon courted by the powerful barons and princes of the land, but her heart lies with the stranger in her dreams.

When it appears that she will be married off to the second in line for the throne, she contacts her dream bloke and he, who just happens to be real and ruler of another part of the kingdom, comes and rescues her, marries her, has a child and then starts an invasion of the kingdom.

Betrayal, faith and a girl's journey into womanhood follow. If you care enough.

The Cup of the World is the first book of what undoubtfully will become a stereotypical trilogy, and maybe the story will improve with the adventures of Ambrose, Phaedra's son, but I really doubt it.

Rating: 1 out of 5.
The Cup of the World by John Dickinson
Published by Random House
ISBN: 0-552-54886-3
Price: £5.99