The first of a new fantasy series. A fast-paced epic with enormous scope, believable and appealing characters and an impressively imagined world.
The Empire of Nar is being torn apart by the ambitions of its states and the lax rule of its Emperor. The balance has been tipped by the unleashing of magic by the sorcerer Tharn. The Emperor wants control of the magic, Tharn wants to rule the Empire and countless thousands of people are caught up in the struggle. And now the love of Prince Richius's life has been spirited away by Tharn.
But all is not what it seems. Richius is a flawed hero pursuing a woman he has met just once. The Emperor is greedy and lazy, while Tharn is a dying man touched by the gods and struggling to use his power for good.
- ISBN10 1857985672
- ISBN13 9781857985672
- Publish Date 18 March 1999 (first published 2 March 1999)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 February 2003
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Gollancz
- Format Paperback (UK Trade)
- Pages 768
- Language English