The City of Qushmarrah is uneasy under the rule of the Herodians -short, balding men whose armies would never have conquered the city had not the great and evil wizard Narkar been killed and sealed in his citadel; had not the savage nomad Datars turned coat and sided with the invaders; had not some traitor opened the fortress to them.
Not many would welcome the return of the old religion, the bloody return of wizardry...but there are some patriots who would accept the return of the devil they know, if it meant the return of independence.
"Thoroughly impressive.… The real strength of the book is its grim but meticulous world building, its large cast of well-drawn characters, and the fascinating if sometimes overly complex political intrigues. Major-caliber work."
Booklist
"Nomad mercenaries, effete politicians, and ordinary folk caught in extraordinary circumstances occupy the dark, foreboding fantasy world created by the author of the popular Black Company series. Highly recommended."
