Shadowsinger

Book Description

The nation of DeFalk lies under peril of invasion. Once more the Sturrinese are gathering their strength in an attempt to crush the peaceful land and enslave its people.Newlywed Secca - Protector of DeFalk - and her sorcerer husband, Alcaren, have come to realise that there can be no truce with the warlike Sturrinese. If peace is to ever come then the power of the Sturrinese lords must be utterly destroyed - and the only way to destroy the Sturrinese is to take the battle to them.But in the war that follows Secca realises that the Sturrinese are merely the servants of a new and far more perilous foe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly In this fifth and final novel in the author's popular Spellsong Cycle, an immediate sequel to The Shadow Sorceress (2001), Modesitt has penned a competent but pedestrian political-military fantasy thriller. There are few surprises in a world with wonders and limitations so well defined in previous volumes, but new readers may become confused unless they pay careful attention. Occasional hints suggest that the magic inherent in such artifacts as the scrying glass may have a basis in ancient technology, though it's doubtful that after the collapse of a technological civilization people would forget so basic an invention as the stirrup. Newlywed Secca and her sorcerer husband, Alcaren, in an attempt to end the military threat to DeFalk of the Sturinnese, carry war to their opponents' own island turf. As much as anything the book describes a war of the sexes, with the female spellsongs vs. the male sorcerers' magical drumming. Secca seemingly learns the true extent of her powers when she manages to vanquish the Sturinnese. Doubts about her stamina and abilities continue to plague her, however, when she next finds herself pitted against the world's most powerful wizard, who commands both conventional and magical armies. Secca faces her greatest challenge yet in a hard-hitting climax sure to delight established fans of the series. (Feb. 28)Ghost of the White Nights (Forecasts, Sept. 17).

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal Newly married to Alcaren, a political ally and fellow sorcerer, Secca, Sorceress Protector of the East, faces her greatest challenge as she attempts to thwart the invasion of the Sturrinese fleet under the command of the Sea Priests. The fifth and final novel in Modesitt's popular "Spellsong Cycle" features a resilient and courageous heroine whose songs contain powerful magic and whose heart refuses to flinch from difficult decisions. The author once again demonstrates a unique ability to blend large-scale storytelling with the intimate minutiae of everyday life. Recommended, along with other series titles, for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.