Readers have followed along as Duke Kordas and his people flee the empire and travel into untamed lands seeking safety and a future. We have held our collective breath as they encountered hideous monsters and foul magics. And we have cheered as they found allies in the Tayledras.
Now they are at a turning point. The city of Haven has been founded and fortified. The small groups of people already settled in the area are being approached with offers of peace and mutual aid. But many of the duke's people believe they would fare better as a recognized kingdom rather than a displaced duchy. They would like to negotiate from a position of strength, especially when they learn there is a powerful magician whose sights and soldiers are aimed at Haven. With the Tayledras only in reach through magical portals, will the fledgling settlement be able to defend itself?
I enjoy watching pieces of Valdemaran history fall into place. Seeing the arrival of the refugees, the palace taking shape, and other basics in previous books have still left many of us wondering about what has not yet been set in place. Will this be the book to explain the origin of Companions and Heralds? How will Kordas balance the people's desire for a king with his own dread of becoming an imitation of the evil empire they fled? (Especially since some courtiers and their offspring are already trying to assert their superiority over other citizens.)
And perhaps we can all learn some wisdom from Kordas. "Love every good day you get. Enjoy the peace. Accept that, for the moment, things around you are not exploding." Dive into this latest book to enjoy more magic, antics of Sydney the cat, encounters with terrifying magic, and even a pair of lifebonded lovers.
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