Nightchild »

James Barclay is in his forties and lives in Teddington in the UK with his wife and son. He is a full-time writer.

IT BEGINS WITH A TIDAL WAVE.

There Is A New Power Coming. It will sweep aside the four colleges of magic. It is the power of the land, and it has manifested itself in Lyanna, a five year old girl. Unknowingly, she could destroy Balaia.

Desperate to maintain their power, the colleges will do anything to control the child. If that fails, they will kill her.

Terrified, Lyanna's mother, Erienne the mage, takes her into hiding. But they can't hide forever. As the hunt goes on, Lyanna starts to test her powers and nature itself begins to turn on Balaia.

Her father, Denser of The Raven, is also desperate to find her. But can even The Raven find Erienne and her child when they do not want to be found? And if they do find them, what then should they do? Lyanna is ripping the world apart. Thousands are dying. Can The Raven afford to let her live?

James Barclay has made a trademark of blistering pace, superbly described action and characters who, with their flaws, humor and dedication to each other, are swiftly becoming cult heroes with fantasy fans.

Publishers Weekly

Having repaired a dimensional rip and stopped a barbarian invasion in 2009's Noonshade, the Raven, a cohort of world-saving mercenaries, face a homegrown threat when Lyanna, the five-year-old daughter of two Raven members, manifests power that triggers natural disasters, devastating entire towns and swallowing castles whole. Navigating among somewhat random plot elements—four competing colleges of magic, witch hunters, guardians of elven lore and three stranded dragons—the Raven find their personal loyalties pitted against their team unity as they debate whether to save or sacrifice Lyanna. Barclay's characters have matured and aged since their first adventure, and while the cinematic and violent battle scenes will likely be the primary draw, readers will also get a few lessons about how would-be heroes handle obligations to family and friends. (Nov.)