In the barely recalled beginnings of recorded history, Corus enjoyed a golden era of civilization, its united peoples rich in learning, trade and the arts. A magical calamity spread a dark age across the planet, leaving its people to crawl slowly out of ignorance and savagery. Corea now stands a divided, warring world where kingdoms fight and people live amongst supernatural beings and bizarre animals. A few rare humans have Talent, the ability to use magical powers, and are thus either cursed or blessed.

Alucius is one of the most Talented of all, yet came from unremarkable beginnings. Raised on an isolated ranch, he is warned never to show his Talent lest he attract attention and be condemned to a lifetime of service. He carries this warning as he comes of age, and joins the Militia as did his father before him. However, this is no routine rite of passage. Corus enters a time of flux as his country is invaded by slave armies of the immortal ruler Madrien - and Alucius himself is captured and enslaved. A palpable sense of evil hangs over the lands and those of Talent are the only defence.

A magical calamity spread a dark age across the planet, leaving Corea a divided, warring world where kingdoms fight and people live amongst supernatural beings and bizarre animals. A few rare humans have Talent, the ability to use magical powers, and are thus either cursed or blessed.

Alucius is one of the most Talented of all, and is now rising quickly through the ranks of the Iron Valleys Militia. He has to have all his wits about him to survive in a complex political landscape, having spent his childhood on an isolated nightsheep ranch. He must stretch his Talent and military skill to their limits, as he battles to keep himself and his men alive in a a fierce border war, while the greatest evil yet awaits him where he least expects to find it.

Van C. Albert is a commander in the Republic Space Force of Taran. His bravery led to the defeat of a larger enemy ship but caused the inadvertent destruction of a civilian liner. Although his name was cleared, he now seems doomed to a life of backwater postings. He can only watch as a simmering cold war erupts into a fierce interstellar war, fuelled by the pull of religious fanaticism, economic and political rivalry.

Van is seriously wounded on assignment, and wakes from a coma to find that he has been decorated and summarily retired from military service. Desperate to escape boredom, he jumps at the chance to fly a starship for the Integrated Information Systems foundation. Seemingly harmless, the IIS''s influence is far reaching and Van soon finds himself at the centre of the action, a key player in a war which will shake all human worlds.

MAGI''I OF CYADOR introduced Lorn, a talented boy born into the family of Magi''i. Now his story continues ...

Having survived both barbarian raiders and the giant beasts of the Accursed Forest, Lorn has proven himself to be a fine officer ... perhaps too fine an officer. As his prowess has grown, so has the number of his enemies and rivals. Too much success has made him a marked man. When he returns to his home, both he and his young family become targets. But with all of Cyad in upheaval over the death of the Emperor, this is not the only problem he faces.

L.E.Modesitt''s best-selling fantasy novels set in the magical world of Recluce are among the most popular in contemporary fantasy.

Look out for more information on this and other titles at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

In the barely recalled beginnings of recorded history, Corus enjoyed a golden era of civilization, its united peoples rich in learning, trade and the arts. A magical calamity spread a dark age across the planet, leaving its people to crawl slowly out of ignorance and savagery. Corea now stands a divided, warring world where kingdoms fight and people live amongst supernatural beings and bizarre animals. A few rare humans have Talent, the ability to use magical powers, and are thus either cursed or blessed.

Alucius is one of the most Talented of all, yet came from unremarkable beginnings. Raised on an isolated ranch, he is warned never to show his Talent lest he attract attention and be condemned to a lifetime of service. He carries this warning as he comes of age, and joins the Militia as did his father before him. However, this is no routine rite of passage. Corus enters a time of flux as his country is invaded by slave armies of the immortal ruler Madrien - and Alucius himself is captured and enslaved. A palpable sense of evil hangs over the lands and those of Talent are the only defence.

A magical calamity spread a dark age across the planet, leaving Corea a divided, warring world where kingdoms fight and people live amongst supernatural beings and bizarre animals. A few rare humans have Talent, the ability to use magical powers, and are thus either cursed or blessed.

Alucius is one of the most Talented of all, and is now rising quickly through the ranks of the Iron Valleys Militia. He has to have all his wits about him to survive in a complex political landscape, having spent his childhood on an isolated nightsheep ranch. He must stretch his Talent and military skill to their limits, as he battles to keep himself and his men alive in a a fierce border war, while the greatest evil yet awaits him where he least expects to find it.

Van C. Albert is a commander in the Republic Space Force of Taran. His bravery led to the defeat of a larger enemy ship but caused the inadvertent destruction of a civilian liner. Although his name was cleared, he now seems doomed to a life of backwater postings. He can only watch as a simmering cold war erupts into a fierce interstellar war, fuelled by the pull of religious fanaticism, economic and political rivalry.

Van is seriously wounded on assignment, and wakes from a coma to find that he has been decorated and summarily retired from military service. Desperate to escape boredom, he jumps at the chance to fly a starship for the Integrated Information Systems foundation. Seemingly harmless, the IIS''s influence is far reaching and Van soon finds himself at the centre of the action, a key player in a war which will shake all human worlds.

MAGI''I OF CYADOR introduced Lorn, a talented boy born into the family of Magi''i. Now his story continues ...

Having survived both barbarian raiders and the giant beasts of the Accursed Forest, Lorn has proven himself to be a fine officer ... perhaps too fine an officer. As his prowess has grown, so has the number of his enemies and rivals. Too much success has made him a marked man. When he returns to his home, both he and his young family become targets. But with all of Cyad in upheaval over the death of the Emperor, this is not the only problem he faces.

L.E.Modesitt''s best-selling fantasy novels set in the magical world of Recluce are among the most popular in contemporary fantasy.

Look out for more information on this and other titles at www.orbitbooks.co.uk