Blade of Dream

Bestseller Abraham’s rich second Kithamar epic fantasy (after Age of Ash) takes an unexpected path; rather than directly continuing the prior volume’s complex tale, Abraham instead provides a parallel narrative, making this clever outing equally accessible as a standalone. The opening is almost identical in both books, introducing the autonomous city of Kithamar, which is at a turning point following the mysterious death of its ruler, Byrn a Sal, who reigned for less than a year. His death gives citizens hope “that the season of darkness will end and something new begin,” even as some wonder whether his daughter and heir, Elaine a Sal, committed patricide. Abraham then flashes back to the start of Byrn’s regime, when Elaine has a fateful romantic encounter with Garreth Left, the son of a powerful merchant family, who falls in love without realizing that Elaine is princess. Now his quest to reunite with her leads him into a political morass. Meanwhile, Divol Senit, captain of the city guard, may finally be in a position to bring Kithamar’s most notorious criminal, Aunt Thorn, to justice, thanks to a cooperating prisoner. Abraham’s patient storytelling pays off, perfectly setting up the trilogy’s finale, and his intricate worldbuilding makes Kithamar a pleasure to explore. Readers will not be disappointed. Agent: Danny Baror, Baror International. (July)