Fortune’s Blight

Manieiri’s capable sequel to 2013’s Blood’s Pride, in which the people of Shadar free themselves from the evil Dead Ones, examines the cost of that victory. The Shadari king, Daryan, is all too aware that their continued liberty is far from assured. He attempts to seek the guidance of the Shadari priests, and is stunned to learn that someone has been murdering them. Resolution of that mystery is but one of the multiple intricate plot elements in this carefully crafted novel, which will draw in new and returning readers alike. The suspense, character development, and worldbuilding are all superior, and the ominous tone of the opening is sustained throughout, nicely setting the stage for the trilogy’s conclusion. Agent: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency. (Feb.)