Judgment at Verdant Court

In the fast-paced third World of Prime fantasy (after Gold Throne in Shadow), Christopher Sinclair, an Earthling from the present day, continues his efforts to improve life for the inhabitants of the harsh medieval fantasy world to which he’s been transported. He’s now the Lord Vicar Christopher, High Priest of the Marshal of Heaven, and faces fresh challenges when he is ordered to hunt down a friend who committed atrocities while under the influence of a magical ring. His search is complicated by the need to repel border incursions from rapacious dog-men. Fortunately, his quick wits and knowledge of how to manufacture paper, guns, armor, and explosives (among other modern goodies) give him an advantage—as long as he follows his friends’ advice to avoid politics. Planck’s writing is as straightforward and clever as his protagonist. Fans will enjoy diving headlong into the action, but the story will challenge new readers, who will struggle to work out who’s who and what’s going on. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Dec.)