Author:  H. David Blalock

ISBN: 1591134390 

The following review has been submitted by: Paul Lappen & CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews

This is part two of a six-part fantasy series about
Andalarn Thran, Jarl (leader) of House Thran, one of
several Houses on the island of Adylonis. For several
centuries, no House has had the power to become
Ascendant (to become "Crown Prince" of Adylonis, under
the Emperor on the mainland). Therefore, the choice of
Andalarn Thran, by the Council at Moorkai, to become
Ascendant, is guaranteed to upset a lot of people.
Foremost among these is House Suum, a military House
who would like nothing more than to wipe House Thran
off the map.

With Andalarn's promotion, he must move to Moorkai and
hand over House Thran to Daepar, his son. Daepar knew
this day would come, but he still dreads the
responsibility. House Suum is on the move, and Daepar
is reluctant to send troops, against the advice of his
advisors. His wife's father, a member of the Council
at Moorkai, is assassinated, and she demands revenge.
Daepar meets, and is smitten with, the daughter of
another House, and they enter into a political
marriage, while he is still married (legal, but
unorthodox). Andalarn and his wife are very overdue at
Moorkai; the first thought is that they have been
captured by House Suum. Daepar takes several men, and
goes to search for them, also against his advisor's
wishes. Andalarn is found, and when he hears about how
bad things have gotten at House Thran, he removes
Daepar as Jarl, and appoints Lady Mara, Daepar's wife,
as regent until their young son comes of age. This is
undone by the Emperor. Finally, Daepar realizes that,
on several different levels, he has messed up, big
time.

This is another strong, well done piece of writing. It
has good characters, it's just weird enough to be
interesting and fantasy fans will love it.