The King Imperiled

by Deborah Chester

Ace, 363 pp, $ 7.99

The King Imperiled is one of her untitled series.

Twelve years ago, King Faldane and his beloved warrior-wife, Queen Alexeika rescued their two daughters kidnapped by the Grethori. Since that time, he has warred against the tribe, seeking the chieftain who killed his son on that tragic day, and the sorceress behind him. As the war ends, the captured sorceress strikes with a powerful life-threatening curse sealed with her life. She has also left a boy to take her place when the time comes.

The king struggles home surviving only by drinking from the chalice of life. Meanwhile, his talented but arrogant daughter becomes the student of the dark side of magic. The king will be betrayed by one closer to him than he might imagine.

Chester writes an entertaining novel for a wide age range from young adult to a more mature reader looking for pleasant afternoon read. - Pam Allan