The Scarlet Fig

I loved The Phoenix and the Mirror, the first book in Avram Davidson???s trilogy about the mage Vergil in ancient Rome, but the two sequels are disappointing. The first sequel, Vergil in Averno, is a travelogue of Vergil???s visit to Averno, a place that ancient Romans thought might be the gate to Hell. (It???s not nearly as interesting as that might suggest, though.) It had little plot, but at least it displayed Avram Davidson???s amusing sense of humor.

This second sequel, The Scarlet Fig, has even less plot. The story starts as Vergil encounters a condemned man who is pardoned by a Vestal Virgin on his way to be executed. Something happens to the Vestal Virgin???s carriage and in his attempt to keep her from falling, Vergil accidentally touches her arm. Vergil???s intentions were ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-scarlet-fig/