Reign of Ash: The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, Book 2

Picaresque series hero Blaine McFadden, free after six years in the Velant prison colony, strives to revive magic in the face of widespread devastation following war between Donderath and Meroven. McFadden, the last living Lord of the Blood, pits his motley crew of supporters against conquest-minded talishte (vampire) warlord Pentreath Reese and henchman Vedran Pollard. Martin fleshes out her crowded canvas with a romantic attachment between swashbuckling McFadden and courtesan and assassin Kestel Falke. Supernatural intervention adds to the mounting tension as talishte fight on both sides, and it provides comic relief when Wraith Lord Kierken Vandholt, McFadden’s ghostly counterpart, takes possession of medium Bevin Connor. Martin draws upon traditional genre elements, such as self-sacrifice and fate vs. free will, to hint at significance, but provides few attractions other than the vibrant action. (Apr.)