The first volume in a new fantasy saga from Roberson (Sword-Dancer
) establishes a universe teeming with fascinating humans, demons and demigods, but a multitude of subplots make for a meandering start, with no real action until the final chapters. Fleeing the war-torn land of Sancorra and the bloodthirsty Hecari, who have conquered it, pregnant Audrun, her husband, Davyd, and their four children seek to travel in the last "karavan" of the season. The desperate journey to a new land is made more dangerous by the threat of nearby Alisanos, a place of doom and dark magic that can change locale at will—and for the first time in 40 years Alisanos is on the move. Ilona, a hand-reading diviner, can't see all the danger for Audrun and her family, but knows that tears, blood and grief most likely lie ahead. The karavan's guide, the mysterious Rhuan, has sworn to protect the karavan, but even his abilities may prove inadequate. Nothing is resolved by the end, but the pieces are in place for what promises to be a story of epic proportions. (Apr.)
