The Hendees' bestselling Noble Dead series (Sister of the Dead
, etc.) makes the leap from mass market to hardcover with this winning fourth novel to feature vampire hunter Magiere, who's half-vampire herself, and her half-elf partner, Leesil. Raised in the Warlands, Leesil must return there to investigate the fate of the parents he betrayed and to seek redemption for his sins as an enslaved assassin for the evil Lord Darmouth. Accompanying Magiere and Leesil are two appealing supporting characters: Wynn, an idealistic elf, and the dog Chap, who's actually a fay in canine clothing. In Venjètz, Darmouth's city, Leesil goes to his father's only confidant, the feline-loving innkeeper Byrd, but wonders if he can trust the man, as Byrd is also an informant for Darmouth. Meanwhile, none other than Lord Darmouth himself calls upon Magiere's vampire-killing skills. Fans of the series are sure to be pleased, while the novel stands well enough on its own to attract new readers. (Jan.)
