Prince Arithon, anointed heir and mage, has used guile, cunning and desperation to thwart all attempts by his half brother Lysaer to kill him. But Lysaer is driven by a curse and pursues the war despite mounting death and destruction. Now the town mayors plot to proclaim Lysaer king.
The aging Koriani prime sorceress Morriel has had a vision showing Arithon as the greatest threat to her order and she too determines to kill him. She and first senior Lirenda use the great Waystone to search out Arithon. Morriel casts a great spell intending to trap and kill Arithon, but Morriel herself is trapped within the spell until it completes. Lysaer has locked his wife away because she no longer unreservedly supports his war. He orders that she be killed should she try to escape, and she is. Arithon comes to Riverton disguised as a bard to steal new ships. Morriel's spell warns Lysaer and compels Arithon's men to betray him. Arithon escapes the city injured, but his captain of arms Caolle is captured. Lirenda sets sail with a fleet to intercept Arithon, taking Caolle as a hostage despite Moriell's instructions to kill him. Caolle escapes, and Moriell's spell is broken. Arithon is hunted by Lysaer's soldiers and forced to travel through the grimward. He becomes trapped by the dreams of the sleeping dragon held captive inside. Morriel is free of her failed spell but greatly weakened. She punishes Lirenda by giving her the task of personally capturing Arithon, or being disgraced. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Political power play Yes Political plotlets - factions fight within govt for control Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's If magical mental powers: - fire/lightning/weather cntrl - can see into the future Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - fire/thunder/weather cntrl Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |