Inquisition by Anselm Audley (Earthlight, £6.99)

THERE are three things every "fantasy" novel has tohave.

1. A mystical, quasi-mediAeval setting populated with princes, magicians and fair maidens.

2. Lots of silly, vaguely exotic-sounding names.

3. Cover artwork which looks like something off a 1970s Yes album.

So far, so predictable for Anselm Audley's Inquisition, the second book in a trilogy set in the land of Aquasilver (see 1), where the heroic Cathan of Lepidor (see 2) is battling to uncover the secret of the storm-magic unleashed by the evil Domain.

Oh, and there's a lovely picture of a multi-turreted castle against a billowing, flame-tinged sky (see 3).

Pretty much all fantasy fiction can trace its lineage back to Tolkien, and, in fact, you can look at Inquisition as a sort of Lord of the Rings-alike.

It co-opts the sillier, wizards-and-kings, aspect of JRR's masterpiece, but can't match the complexity, darkness and richness of that tale of lost civilisations and dangerous times.

But though it's not exactly deep, Inquisition is an enjoyable enough romp.

If you've read its predecessor, Heresy, you won't be disappointed.

And if its brand of escapist hokum draws you in, the third book in the series, Crusade, will be out before too long. Ceri Vines