Coe rounds out his ambitious series (following The Sorcerers' Plague
and The Horsemen's Gambit
) with bloody battle. The war that menaces the plains of the Southland has finally, violently erupted. The Eandi forces, with the aid of a renegade band of cursed Mettai, face off against the regal Fal'Borna and their conjuring skills. Tirnya Onjaef believes the magical plague decimating the southern Qirsi is a sign that her Eandi army is destined to win, but soon Eandi spells begin to backfire as well. The Fal'Borna ride toward the battle with depleted troops and rotten odds, not knowing what they face but determined to make a stand. Coe steers his characters with considerable force, creating some inconsistencies en route to a conclusion that is satisfying if not surprising. (Feb.)
