A New Tale Is Added to this Christy Award-Winning Fantasy
Saga!
Submissive to her father's will, Lady Leta of Aiven travels far to
meet a prospective husband she neither knows nor loves--Lord
Alistair, future king of the North Country.
But within the walls of Gaheris Castle, all is not right. Vicious
night terrors plague Lord Alistair to the brink of insanity.
Whispers rise from the family crypt. The reclusive castle
Chronicler, Leta's tutor and friend, possesses a secret so
dangerous it could cost his life and topple the North Country into
civil war.
And far away in a hidden kingdom, a fire burns atop the Temple of
the Sacred Flame. Acolytes and priestesses serve their goddess to
the limits of their lives and deaths. No one is safe while the
Dragonwitch searches for the sword that slew her twice...and for
the one person who can wield it.
Who Will Dare to Face the Dragonwitch?
Submissive to her father's will, Lady Leta of Aiven travels far to
meet the future King of the North Country and a prospective husband
she neither knows nor loves.
But within the walls of his castle, all is not right. Vicious night
terrors plague Lord Alistair. Whispers rise from the family crypt.
The reclusive castle Chronicler, Leta's tutor and friend, possesses
a secret so dangerous it could cost his life and topple the entire
nation.
And far away in a hidden kingdom, a flame burns atop the Citadel of
the Living Fire. Acolytes and priestesses serve their goddess to
the limits of their lives and deaths. No one is safe while the
Dragonwitch searches for the sword that slew her twice...and for
the hero who can wield it.
"Stengl's characteristic humor, inventiveness, and verve catalyze a
slight plot in the fifth installment of the Tales of Goldstone Wood
(after Starflower). Alistair, the red-headed heir of Earl
Ferox of Gaheris, is contemplating a loveless marriage and
wrestling with prophetic nightmares. He'd like to be a hero through
deeds of derring-do, but his mother wants him to play politics and
become king. He sees his intended, Lady Leta, as insipid because he
can't understand having a passion for books and ideas. It's the
stuff of second-rate romance, but there are larger issues brewing.
Ancient legends are stirring. A dangerous gate is forming between
the worlds of faeries and mortals. Alistair's dreams portend a
threat big enough for any hero, with room for a cranky misshapen
librarian, an urchin, and a certain blithe cat-man. The story
stands alone, though favorite characters from the earlier books
have cameos large and small. New readers will find much to charm
them, and fans will enjoy the epic yet quirky adventure they have
come to anticipate" --Publishers Weekly
Anne Elisabeth Stengl is the author of the acclaimed TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD series, including Starflower; Veiled Rose; winner of the 2012 Christy Award for Visionary novel; and Heartless, the winner of the 2011 Christy Award for First Novel. She makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a dog, and a passel of cats. Learn more at www.anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com.