Flightless Falcon

Popular heroic-fantasy author Reichert (The Renshai Chronicles) steps into a brand-new setting for her latest novel. Mentally scarred by a disastrous mining accident, Tamison finds it impossible to obtain decent work in the guild-run city of Lathary. Desperate to feed his growing family, he tries to steal food and ends up spending two years in prison for the crime. When his sentence is over, he returns home to find his wife and children gone without a trace. A city guardsman named Dallan tells him that nearly two years ago they were taken by men of the Brotherhood of rival city Callos to be slaves of evil Lord Mannkorus. Dallan explains that his sister and mother were also taken by the same men; soon he and Tamison team up to free their families. Joining them are Rifkah, a fortune-teller whose talents are not appreciated by the Brotherhood of Lathary, and Con, a mysterious thief who refuses to talk about his past. On the way to Callos, the four find themselves both divided and drawn together by their differences, as danger forces them to depend increasingly on each other. Only when they finally reach their goal do they learn the truth behind the kidnappings and Tamison's imprisonment--a truth that will force Tamison to decide once and for all what to do with his life. Reichert's many fans will enjoy this change of pace (with a hint of a sequel) from the author's generally more lengthy and complicated books, while its intimate scale is sure to draw in new readers as well. (July)