Queen of Storms

Feist displays his mastery of epic fantasy in this impressive second installment to the Firemane Saga (after King of Ashes), which sees newlywed innkeepers Hatu and Hava forced to rely on their childhood training as assassins and spies after calamity upends their lives. Hatu was raised by a criminal syndicate, but his true parentage marks him as the sole heir of the Firemanes and the destroyed Kingdom of Ithrace, putting a target on his back for those who see him as a threat and others who would use him as a pawn in their political machinations. On the day of his wedding to Hava in the remote town of Beran’s Hill, an overwhelming armed force attacks, leaving few alive and razing the town. Hatu is spirited away from the fighting by members of the Flame Guard, a secret society devoted to protecting his family line. Hava also survives and tracks Hatu to Port Colos, where she is seized by forces speaking an unknown language. Hava must escape captivity to find Hatu, who slowly learns more of his Firemane heritage. Feist fans will recognize his hallmarks here—quiet moments of a common life interrupted by sweeping battles, and high seas journeys to distant continents. Fantasy readers of all sorts will appreciate his command of both subtle characterization and vast, panoramic story. This is a knockout. (July)