The Last Days of the Edge of the World

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The ministers put it quite plainly, Prince Damian was neither handsome nor charming, but the only hope left for the bankrupt kingdom of Caramorn was his marriage to Sirion Hilversun's lovely daughter, Helen.

Sirion Hilversun was the last of the enchanters in the magic lands at the edge of the world. Unknown to the ministers his powers were failing, and he was worried about his daughter's future. Marriage to a prince was, he thought, a secure, traditional answer.

Unfortunately, Helen loathed Damian on sight. So she borrowed an idea from an old story and agreed to the marriage on condition that Damian must first answer three questions set by her . In the interests of fairness she also offered to answer three set by him.

But she began to take the questions from an old riddle - a riddle that turned out to be a spell of terrible power....

Published in 1978 by Hutchinson.
ISBN:0-09-133820-4
Cover art by Martin White

Dedicated to Ken and Jo Wild

THE WIZARD'S DAUGHTER

Sirion Hilversun was growing old, and the winds were growing cold in the lands at World's Edge. It had been many years since he and the other wizards had been expelled from the land of Caramorn.

Now the King of Caramorn wanted his magic back. To get it he was willing to marry his Prince to Sirion's daughter, Helen. And so the deal was struck.

But Helen had plans of her own - which didn't include marrying a Prince who looked like a toad.

So Helen did what any heroine in a fairytale would do. She gave the Prince three impossible possible tasks...

Published 1st September 1985 by Ace.
ISBN:0-441-47077-7
Cover art by Don Maitz.

Translated into French as: Le Bord du Monde.

Review by Ian Braidwood

Cast of Characters:
Sirion Hilversun, Helen Hilversun, Prince Damian, Rufus Malagig IV, Jeahawn Kambalba, Coronado, Ewan, WynKyn.

The Last Days of the Edge of the World is a book which should be read by people of all ages. There is everything you expect in a fairytale: Love (kinda), bravery, courage and a little magic. Helen (the main character) is the daughter of a near 200 year old wizard named Sirion Hilvursen. He wants a good safe, secure life. She wants to forge her own way "Idon't want to be married to a man and follow along as he does great things. I want to forge my own way." (I'm paraphrasing.)

In a palace that's not so very far away a king and his ministers are stuck in the middle of a problem, they are broke, they're is no food (well not alot anyway) and even with a bumper harvest they would still be up choc creek without a popsicle stick!

So King Rufus Malagig sends a letter to sirion asking him for Helen to marry his son Damian. After a feast at Moonmansion (Helen and Sirion's home) Helen doesn't rake to the idea of marrying a prince that looks like a toad. So she gives him 3 seemingly impossible questions.

After receiving the first of the questions it is discovered by a young university student that they are part of a set of six questions making up the Last Will and Testament of Jeahawn Kambalba, Jeahawn the Judge.

A young boy by the name of Ewan is chosen as the princes substitute to answer the questions.

Review by Carly O'Brien

The Brian Stableford Website