Cold-Forged Flame

Brennan (In the Labyrinth of Drakes) explores the power of memory, self-realization, and destiny in this mix of survival story and self-discovery tale. A woman with no memory of who she is or where she came from appears in a strange land, summoned by a tribal priest called a Cruais, to fulfill a grueling task: traverse an ever-changing and seemingly sentient island landscape to bring back a small vial of blood from the Lhian’s cauldron. She has no idea who the Lhian is or why the Cruais and his tribe needs the blood, but she is bound to complete the task. However, if she succeeds, they promise to free her so that she can never be summoned again. When she meets a man, Aadet, who also seeks the Lhian, they form an uneasy alliance. The journey is treacherous, but luckily the heroine is fierce of mind, strong of will, and quite the warrior. Brennan delights readers with this exciting, fast-paced start to a fantasy novella series. (Sept.)