Juliet E McKenna – författare

Archmage Planir and the wizards of Hadrumal have unleashed their devastating powers to destroy the corsair threat. As they hear the survivors' tales, noblemen from surrounding lands can only fear for their own grip on power. The mysteries of Artifice could counter Hadrumal's might, but Solura's adepts will demand a high price for their aid. Planir faces more urgent dangers. The Archipelagans have cut all ties and are baying for wizard blood, enraged at magic invading their domains, while in the Council of Wizards, Planir's course through the crisis is challenged. He must look beyond the island city for allies. To Suthyfer, the haven for mageborn far in the Eastern Ocean; and to Caladhria, where Corrain, Baron Halferan and Lady Zurenne believe all their trials are over. But this is merely a lull before winter's storms descend from the high mountains, where jealous observers contemplate Hadrumal's plight...

The King is dead...Struck down by lightning on a hunting trip, King Venais leaves the Kingdom of Arafaze with no clear successor. And soon enough the nobility are shedding loyalty in favour of ambition as two princesses with competing claims to the empty throne seek alliances and favours and the realm teeters on the brink of war.Fear reaches far beyond the court. The Priestesses of the Sun and the Priests of the Moon, servants of the divinities that balance healing and death, truth and lies, must serve the people and keep the Sun Goddess and the Moon God above the designs of the powerful. But even in the churches ambition festers.Away from high counsels, two wives, traders on the rivers that are the Realm’s life blood, an agent, a priest and a priestess are drawn into the brutal tangle.And, in the Shadow Realm, fear, lies and hatred are taking terrifying form..

Those exiles and rebels determined to bring peace to Lescar discover the true cost of war. Courage and friendships are tested to breaking point. Who will pay such heartbreaking penalties for their boldness? Who will pay the ultimate price? The dukes of Lescar aren't about to give up their wealth and power without a fight. Nor will they pass up some chance to advance their own interests, if one of their rivals suffers in all this upheaval. The duchesses have their own part to play, more subtle but no less deadly.

The Archmage rules the island of wizards, enforcing a ban on the use of magecraft in warfare. But there is a rumour of rogue wizardry abroad, its adepts not subject to the Archmage's edicts. The Emperor of Tormalin is offering them his protection while corsairs are raiding the coasts and merchants are begging for magical aid. The world of Lescar faces a terrifying change and epoch defying adventure. The Archmage rules the island of wizards. From here he enforces the Edicts of the Council of Wizardry. Foremost is the ban on magecraft in warfare. But there is a rumour of rogue wizardry in Lescar's recent civil war. There's the rise of Artifice, its adepts not subject to the Archmage's edicts. Now the Emperor of Tormalin is offering them his protection. There are corsairs raiding the Caladhrian Coast, enslaving villagers and devastating trade. Barons and merchants beg for magical aid. But all help has been refused. This is no comfort to Lady Zurenne whose husband has been murdered by corsairs. Now a man she doesn't even know stands as guardian over her and her daughters. Corrain, former captain and now slave, knows that man is a rogue wizard, selling his skills to the corsairs. If Corrain can escape, he'll see justice done. Unless Jilseth, magewoman and Archmage's confidante, can catch the renegade first, before the full extent of his villainy is revealed. If that happens, at a time when wizardry faces so many other challenges, the scandal could have dire consequences indeed! Dangerous Waters is the first book in a stunning new fantasy series from a major voice in fantasy.

In Halferan, Captain Corrain is hailed as a hero; but he knows all praise would turn to anger if the Caladhrians knew the truth. The wizard who supposedly saved them has merely claimed the corsair island for his own, and no one knows what his next move will be. Corrain has good reason to fear the worst, as he confides in Lady Zurenne. He knows he can trust her, now that still more perilous secrets bind them together. This disastrous turn of events cannot be concealed from Hadrumal's mages. Surely the Archmage will enforce his authority by crushing this upstart mage? Unless the Aldabreshin warlords act first. Will they be content to drive this solitary wizard out of the Archipelago, or has the time come for them to destroy all magic?