GRYPHON'S EYRIE

The latest in Norton's well-known Witch World series, of which entries have been appearing variously—sometimes in YA form—since 1963. (Collaborator Crispin is the author of Yesterday's Son and V.) Competent, comely Joisan and her wretchedly weak, vacillating husband Kerovan wander purposelessly in the wastelands—while Kerovan fights a mysterious, mystic compulsion. Then, during a sojourn with the Amerindian-like Kioga tribe, Joisan earns the enmity of Nidu, the Kioga's evil shaman. But by now Kerovan has discovered his magical powers, yielding to the compulsion: with Joisan, he comes to an ancient, sorcery- preserved citadel—where he discovers that he is a reincarnation of the powerful wizard Landisl. And eventually there'll be a showdown between Nidu (who is plotting to release the evil Adept Maleron from a magical time-loop prison) and Kerovan—who must borrow the awesome Powers of Joisan's unborn child. Some fair ideas here and there, but overall a rather aimless performance that could use more teeth and muscle, less gauze and fluff: an about-average offering for Witch World fans.