Daughter of Blood

Lowe’s tangled third Wall of Night epic fantasy installment (after The Gathering of the Lost) picks up the story just as darkness begins to overtake its heroes. Malian of Night and Kalan continue their quest to save the Derai Alliance from their ancient enemies, the Darksworn, but devastating revelations await them regarding the true history of their faction. Meanwhile, a young girl is thrust into a political marriage that will alter the course of the Derai, and the Sworn obtain an unlikely asset in the form of a street urchin. New readers hoping for an accessible introduction to Lowe’s work may be disappointed; there’s no entry point to the plot (despite a 19-page glossary), there aren’t enough concrete descriptions of the magical and scientific systems underlying the world, and anyone who lacks a complete grasp of Lowe’s labyrinthine plots will be lost. Returning fans will find that the dense, unforgiving prose is nonetheless cleverly constructed and will delight in Lowe’s intricate worldbuilding and keen eye for politicking. The introduction of new characters and prophecies adds some depth of intrigue to Lowe’s impressive epic. (Jan.)