The White Tribunal

Volsky's Parallel Universe #4

by Paula Volsky

In a land pockmarked with the grim relics of a long-ago war live a people consumed by the fear of magic. Those suspected of sorcery die at the hands of the infamous White Tribunal. And death and terror will reign until a young man pawns his soul for the temporary power to destroy his murdered father's false accusers.

Now, disguised as a foreigner and with his time measured by the sands of a magical hourglass, Tradain liMarchborg enters the capital city of Lis Folaze, stronghold of the White Tribunal's power. Here his path will cross that of the beautiful Glennian liTarngrav, whose own mission will lock them together in a vortex of love, revenge, death, and enchantment that could save a land...or thrust them both--as Tradain's hourglass sands run out--into eternal torment.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Historical, Science Fiction Fantasy

512 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Paula Volsky is an American fantasy author. Born in Fanwood, New Jersey, she majored in English literature at liberal arts college Vassar in New York State. At the University of Birmingham, England, she received an M.A. in Shakespearian studies. Before writing fantasy, she sold real estate and also worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Illusion, The Wolf of Winter, The Gates of Twilight, The White Tribunal, and The Grand Ellipse all take place within the same fictional world, with fantasy plot-lines inspired by historical events.

Paula Volsky also writes under the pseudonym of Paula Brandon

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Standard formula for Paula Volsky books: 1) Choose a major historical event, 2) Change the name of the country that event occurred in to something vaguely fantasy-sounding, 3) insert one each of two dimensional major female and male characters, 4) add some sort of "deity" or quasi-mystical sorcery of some sort so she can say she's written something original.

That was the way the first few books went and while they were readable, they weren't anything worth looking at twice. This book is different. Not because it's better, but because it adds a twist to the "formula." Instead of just ripping off a historical event, this one hacks the plots of two popular works. Basically, mix the Spanish Inquisition with "Faust" and "The Count of Monte Cristo" and you have the major body of this book. No effort required on the author's part. All she added were poorly developed major characters and another one of her "Awareness," deity-like beings that have never fit in well with the worlds she "creates" in any of the books.

This book is still readable and if you're still in high school, then I suppose this will seem novel and original to you. If, however, you know your history and did a bit of reading in the classics, then there's nothing here you haven't seen before.

[Emily Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time around, all I wanted was another "Illusion." This is Volsky's version of "The Count of Monte Christo," and once one embraces that, this book proves to be a gripping, terrifying, and mind-boggling read. The beginning is a little slow, but give it time: it's all fascinating and very bittersweet if satisfying. More, Ms. Volsky! More!

[Jeff Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I really can't think of anything that I didn't like about it, even though there were times I could see where she was headed, but that is probably due to my being a long time reader with experience regarding plot flow. Even so, it didn't diminish my enjoyment. I loved the characters, the 1700's setting, and her simple and direct magic system.

This the first of Vlosky's novels I have read, and it won't be the last. I am puzzled however, why she hasn't written anything since 2010 or so. I hope she will come back to the vault of her prodigious imagination, and provide us with more wonderful tales.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel is more or less a revenge story, in a context that is essentially the Spanish Inquisition and witchcraft trials transplanted to a fantasy setting resembling Renaissance Germany (sans Protestant Reformation). It's all pretty straightforward. I feel that Volsky missed some opportunities for a deeper exploration of the nature of retribution, vengeance versus justice, and how much benefit the wronged party can truly get from any of them. I liked her novel The Grand Ellipse better.

[Dev Taylor]

First book of 2025 complete!

Not really a fan of this one TBH. The author created a cool universe and the magic system was solid - but the plot, characters, and dialog were all pretty bad. And the character names were soooooo stupid, haha.

Onwards to reading better books this year!

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good, I thought. Few of the characters, including the protagonist, are likable, and much is left unexplained, but even with those drawbacks, I found myself eager to keep reading and discover how it would end. I also thought there was some not-too-preachy commentary on vengeance and justice.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritty fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. Because it is fashioned after the classic, which I have read, it makes the plot and unfolding events predictable. The author does have a way with words, and her descriptions and narration are a cut above most.

[Maxi Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

finds bisschen langwierig. Es dauert sehr lange für wenig handlung

[Kerith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deliciously fun and quick read, which happily reminded me of that same author's book ILLUSION, which my friend Merren made me read some time ago. This one is not about a revolution, but tells a story of the White Tribunal which exactly matches our own history's Inquisition. Instead of heretics, this Tribunal "Disinfects" supposed sorcerers. Like any type of witch hunt, most of the Disinfected folk are innocent. Certain parts of it had me quite angry, knowing such occurrences exist over and over in our own history.
The main character, Tradain, sees his father and brothers betrayed by his stepmother into the cauldron, and he himself is left to molder in prison. He gets out, with luck and some other powers, and returns to wreak vengeance. It's really a tale of revenge, and the lessons learned therefrom.
Both my husband and I were exceedingly disappointed by the ending, which was abrupt and almost seemed a mistake. Not satisfying at all, considering how good the rest of it was. Oh well.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a single torturous chapter, young nobleman Tradain liMarchborg loses his family, wealth and freedom. He is sentenced to a lifetime in a hellish prison. By chance, he escapes after growing up in the prison, and devotes the remainder of his life to revenge. This was a gripping book, but Tradain’s methods of vengeance are ridiculously intricate and convoluted.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book about revenge, and it not really making you feel that much better.

[Speed8ump · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Volsky's style, this should work for you. It been so long I don't remember many of the salient details, but I remember reading all through the night to finish it.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book which is a blending of The Crucible and Count of Monte Cristo, witch hunts and revenge combine to make this a can't-put-down read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of the book moved along nicely, if slowly. Then the end just sort of went 'thud' and lay there like a dead fish.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just found out about this author, who someone compared to Guy Gabriel Kay's historical based fantasy. This title was good, but I am hoping that her other titles will be better.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The White Tribunal (Bantam Spectra Book) by Paula Volsky (1997)

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frightening