The Wheel of Osheim

Lawrence brings the Red Queen's War trilogy (after Prince of Fools and The Liar's Key) to a triumphant conclusion with plenty of action, horror, and humor. Prince Jalan Kendeth of Red March has been to Hel and back thanks to the war between the Red Queen (his grandmother) and her enemy, the Lady Blue. After Jal is manipulated into stealing a rare artifact and abandoning his friends in Hel, he returns to the mortal world to discover reality is "cracking," slowly torn asunder by the magic released by the ancient Builders. As the Dead King's undead forces run amok, the Red Queen leads her troops into battle, leaving an uneasy Jal as marshal of the defenses of her capital city. Then comes word that the Red Queen has fallen. To save the world, Jal must stop the legendary Wheel of Osheim. Jalan's wry narration enhances Lawrence's heady, enjoyable mix of court intrigue, dirty family politics, and ancient magic. Both new readers and series fans will enjoy this dark and lively epic fantasy. (June)