AustLit

'From one of Voyager's bestselling authors a fabulous new epic fantasy series ... referencing The Demon Child trilogy and The Hythrun Chronicles.

'Finally here are the books fans have been begging for following up all the major players from the Demon Child series in a rollicking, action-packed adventure.

'A suitable match is made to secure the kingdoms and all is at peace. Except the bride is unwilling... switching places with her lady-in-waiting, the would-be heir finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war between earth and the other side while her replacement must learn how to be a ruler, or face certain death.' (Publication summary)

'Since fleeing Winternest to avoid King Hablet's wrath when he discovers the truth about her parentage, leaving her slave, Charisee, to take her place, Rakaia has been on quite an adventure. She has met the demon child, traveled the continent with the charming minstrel, Mica the Magnificent, enjoying more freedom then she ever imagined trapped in the harem in Talabar.

'But her freedom has come at a cost. Mica has committed an unthinkable crime, worse even, than stealing the golden lyre, and she is now his unwilling accomplice, sailing the high seas on a Tri-lander pirate ship, doing everything she can to avoid upsetting the man she once thought she loved, but has now realized is quite insane.

'Meanwhile, Charisee, still pretending to be Rakaia, is trying to make the best of her new life as the Lady of Highcastle. But Rakaia's past will catch up with her, even as her own lies are in danger of being exposed.

'As Adrina struggles to hold Hythria together, and Marla tries to deal with the fallout from the shocking events that take place in the Citadel during the treaty negotiations, Wrayan Lightfinger and the apprentice sorcerer, Julika Hawksword, must travel to Sanctuary to find out why the fortress is back. What they will discover is shocking and will affect the entire world, even though they don't realize it.' (Sourced from publisher's website.)