SEEDS OF BETRAYAL: Winds of the Forelands

Turmoil and deception propel Coe's second entry in his Winds of the Forelands tetralogy, maintaining the momentum of its predecessor, Rules of Ascension (2002). In the feudal world of the Forelands, Qirsi ministers directed by the Weaver use assassination to foment distrust and chaos among the ruling houses of the various kingdoms. A few nobles, aided by Qirsi mages still loyal to their masters, try to stop what they call the "Conspiracy" to make the subservient Qirsi the rulers of the Forelands. The author deftly manages a multistrand plot full of political intrigue that never flags despite the wealth of engrossing detail. A large cast of characters both old and new enliven the sword and sorcery. Readers who go for good clean fantasy fun will eagerly await the next installment. Agent, Lucienne Diver. (May 27)

FYI:In 1999, Coe won the William C. Crawford Award for Best First Fantasy or Fantasy Series for his LonTobyn trilogy.