About the Book
Elizabeth Moon’s bestselling science fiction novels featuring Kylara
Vatta have earned her rave reviews and comparison to such giants as
Robert Heinlein and Lois McMaster Bujold. But as Moon’s devoted fans
know, she started her career as a fantasy writer. The superb trilogy
known as The Deed of Paksenarrion is widely judged to be one of the
great post-Tolkien fantasies, a masterpiece of sustained world-building
and realistic military action. Now Moon returns to this thrilling realm
for the first time in nearly twenty years. The result: another classic
in the making.
Thanks to Paks’s courage and sacrifice, the
long-vanished heir to the half-elven kingdom of Lyonya has been
revealed as Kieri Phelan, a formidable mercenary captain who earned a
title — and enemies — in the neighboring kingdom of Tsaia. Now, as Kieri
ascends a throne he never sought, he must come to terms with his own
half-elven heritage while protecting his new kingdom from his old
enemies — and those he has not yet discovered.
Meanwhile, in
Tsaia, Prince Mikeli prepares for his own coronation. But when an
assassination attempt nearly succeeds, Mikeli suddenly faces the threat
of a coup. Acting swiftly, Mikeli strikes at the powerful family behind
the attack: the Verrakaien, magelords possessing ancient sorcery,
steeped in death and evil. Mikeli’s survival — and that of Tsaia — depend
on the only Verrakai whose magery is not tainted with innocent blood.
Two kings stand at a pivotal point in the history of their worlds. For
dark forces are gathering against them, knit in a secret conspiracy
more sinister — and far more ancient—than they can imagine. And even Paks
may find her gods-given magic and peerless fighting skills stretched to
the limit — and beyond.
