An ancient evil is ready to be reborn.. Seventeen years have passed since Yim sacrificed herself to Lord Bahl, avatar of the Devourer. Bahl lost his power but Yim became pregnant with his son. She has raised the boy in the Grey Fens, keeping him ignorant of his history, but the taint of the Devourer is surfacing in his blood. As Froan joins the Dark Magic to claim his heritage, Yim 's sole hope is her abandoned love, Honus, will take up the sword for the goddess Karm's sake. Only then can she defeat the bastion of evil, the Iron Palace.

The god[s] always ask more of us than we may be able to give. Howell closes the complex epic on an intimate note. She leaves her reader enthralled with her complex characters, emotional power and incredible world building. If I had a 4 star scale she would get a 6. Got to read [and collect] them all. Howell is a Meteor in the Fantasy firmament. You go girl. As for advice to the fantasy reader...BUY! ~~ Pam Allan