The worm was close now. So close Fliss could smell the putrid stench of its breath. Its slavering jaws gaped to engulf her...Everyone in Elsworth knows the local legend about the monstrous worm - or dragon - that once terrorised the village. But it never really happened. Or did it? For when Fliss and her friends are chosen to re-enact the legend for the village Festival, the four who are to play the part of the worm dance as one across the ground. They are the worm. And Fliss begins to feel real fear. Somehow the worm itself is returning - with a thousand-year hunger in its belly, and a burning desire for vengeance... Views: 13
After years spent in the saps under the defenses of the apparently impregnable city of Ap’Iscatoy, Bardas Loredan, sometimes fencer-at-law and betrayed defender of the famed Triple City, is suddenly hero of the Empire. His reward is a boring administrative job in a backwater, watching armor tested to destruction in the Proof House. But the fall of Ap’Iscatoy has opened up unexpected possibilities for the expansion of the Empire into the land of the Plains people, and Bardas Loredan is the one man Temrai the Great, King of the Plains tribes, fears the most. The Proof House is the gripping, hugely entertaining conclusion of K.J. Parker’s Fencer Trilogy.Review“One of the most entertaining fantasy debuts in recent years… incredibly vivid, refreshing, fun, thoughtful, absorbing.” -- SFXFrom the PublisherThese action–packed tales of magic, intrigue, and revenge introduce a remarkable new voice in fantasy fiction. Views: 13
From Publishers WeeklyWritten with the graceful prose rhythms that have garnered her two Edgar nominations, Frazer's 10th tale of 15th-century nun Dame Frevisse (following The Reeve's Tale) transports the reader to a medieval England made vivid and a world of emotions as familiar then as now. Despite Frevisse's devotion to the religious routine of prayer and silence (not absolute) and her infrequent contact with those outside the nunnery of St. Frideswide, she remains an astute observer and interpreter of what she does see. Duty sends her into the troubled household of Squire Robert as companion to Dame Claire, who is asked to minister to Robert's pregnant wife, Blaunche. A dispute over a manor claimed by Lady Blaunche before she wed Robert threatens to erupt into armed conflict. Robert, against Blaunche's wish, hopes to negotiate a settlement with Sir Lewis Allesley by marrying his ward, Katherine, to Allesley's son, Drew. Blaunche wants not only to keep the disputed manor but to see her son (and Robert's stepson), Benedict, wed Katherine. Frevisse and Claire are thrown into the middle of a squall of desires, jealousies and intrigue that begins before they reach Robert's manor and won't end before murder is done. Frevisse once again must use her skills to solve a crime. Finely plotted and subtly shaded, Frazer's tale has the detailed substance that brings an era to life, while her characters' psychological makeup is as cunningly wrought as the historical background. (Dec. 12) Forecast: This is a veteran series that continues to grow in qualityDand popularity. If booksellers focus on this title and its medieval setting (and push it to readers of history as well as to mystery buffs), the book's Christmas-time pub date could make it Frazer's bestselling to date. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From BooklistThe latest installment in Frazer's Dame Frevisse series provides a detailed portrait of life in fourteenth-century England. The slow-moving plot revolves around land holdings and forced marriages. Robert Fenner married the twice-widowed Lady Blaunche to obtain her properties. The ownership of one of these manors is in dispute. Robert is willing to settle by arbitration, but the greedy Blaunche has other plans. Dame Frevisse and Dame Claire find themselves in the midst of this turmoil when they escort Katherine, one of the household's young women, home from their convent. Conflicting loyalties, secrets, and greed lead to murder, and Dame Frevisse must see that justice is done. Historical mysteries tend to fall into two camps: those that are primarily mysteries and those that stress the history. Frazer's novel falls into the second category (there is little action before the last few chapters) and, thus, will appeal more to readers of historical fiction than to mystery lovers. Sharan Newman's Catherine Le Vendeur novels are a better bet for those who want more mystery and less history. Barbara BibelCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Views: 13
In a world very much like our own Victorian England, the country of Dalanine is at war. The implacable, unstoppable Despot has been pushing northward for over a year, conquering everything in his path with military and magical force, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.For Evon Lorantis, Dalanine's most promising young magician, the war represents the same kind of work he's always done, inventing and developing new spells for his country's defense. But as good as he is, he's still stumped by the mystery the government's department of Home Defense brings him: a rash of spontaneously occurring fires, hotter than any natural force can produce, melting stone and vaporizing flesh wherever they strike. Home Defense believes it's a weapon that will finally defeat the Despot. And they want Evon to harness it.In investigating the problem, Evon discovers these fires are no accident; there's a magician behind them, a woman using the fire to prosecute justice on her own terms. Evon... Views: 13
A curious gentleman in hot pursuit of an intriguing lady in disguise may find love under the Christmas tree this season as New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp sets Regency Edinburgh aglitter for the holidays!Rylla Campbell is determined to rescue her brother from a life of dissipation, whether he wants to be rescued or not. But how to find him amid the gambling hells of Regency Edinburgh? By disguising herself as a young man, of course! Her scheme seems to be working, until Lord Gregory Rose sees through her rather fetching disguise—and steals a kiss that thrills Rylla to the tips of her toes. Maybe Lord Rose is just what she needs to continue her quest to bring her brother home by Christmas. He knows his way around the darker side of the city...and if Rylla finds herself facing him under the mistletoe now and then, who could blame her? Views: 13
What do you want from life? A pathway to a respectable career? An escape from a respectable career? Acceptance by society? Escape from society? What would you do to get it? In Summer Shorts, author Jan Earl Miller explores those questions through four dark tales. If Jan's first book The Boys Next Door was a light-hearted beer and a dooby, Summer Shorts is a dry Merlot served on a dark night. Views: 13
