Stormlord's Exile

Families are divided, heroes are made, and the fate of the world is decided in the exciting conclusion to Australian conservationist Larke's Watergiver trilogy (after 2010's Stormlord Rising). In the desert-dry Quartern nation, only a cloudmaster can keep people alive by calling the rains. Lord Jasper Bloodstone, once a commoner, is the last surviving cloudmaster, but he is unable to manipulate salt water. His waterpainter lover, Terelle, wants to help, but a magical compulsion draws her away. Jasper's brother, Sandmaster Ravard, is killing every rainlord he can find%E2%80%94even targeting Jasper%E2%80%94in hopes of bringing back the Time of Random Rain. In poignant counterpoint, transgender warrior Rubric Verdigris struggles with his conscience and what it means to be a man. Themes of family and identity dominate a story line that is both intimate and world-spanning. Series fans will love the exciting action and well-developed characters; new readers will want to seek out the earlier books. (Aug.)