Synopses & Reviews
National bestselling author Carol Berg returns to the world of her award-winning Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone with an all-new tale of magic, mystery, and corruption....
How much must one pay for an hour of youthful folly? The Pureblood Registry accused Lucian de Remeni-Masson of unseemly involvement with ordinaries,” which meant only that he spoke with a young woman not of his own kind, allowed her to see his face unmasked, worked a bit of magic for her....After that one mistake, Lucians grandsire excised half his magic and savage Harrowers massacred his family. Now the Registry has contracted his art to a common coroner. His extraordinary gift for portraiture is restricted to dead ordinariesbeggars or starvelings hauled from the streets.
But sketching the truth of dead mens souls brings unforeseen consequences. Sensations not his own. Truths he cannot possibly know and dares not believe. The coroner calls him a cheat and says he is trying to weasel out of a humiliating contract. The Registry will call him madand mad sorcerers are very dangerous....
Review
"Chilling...well-written."
Publishers Weekly "Terrific." --
Midwest Book ReviewReview
Praise for Carol Berg
“An absolutely gorgeous writer...[who] does incredible worldbuilding.” —C. E. Murphy, author of The Walker Paper series
Praise for Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone
“Engrossing.” —Sharon Shinn, National Bestselling Author of Royal Airs
“Altogether superior.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
“Emotionally intense.” —Publishers Weekly
Review
"[A] masterpiece of historical fantasy...The fascinating mannerisms of the age and the extreme formality of two people growing fonder of each other add a charmingly fresh appeal that will cross over to romance fans as well as to period fantasy readers." --
Library Journal
"J.K. Cheney's alternate Portugal, a society of delicate manners, gaslights, and under-the-sea artworks, provides a lush backdrop for an intricate mystery of murder, spies, selkies, and very dark magic. A most enjoyable debut." --Carol Berg, author of the Novels of the Collegia Magica
"[P]ulls readers in right off the bat...Oriana's 'extra' abilities are thoroughly intriguing and readers will love the crackling banter and working relationship between Oriana and Duilio." --Romantic Times
"An ambitious debut from Cheney: part fantasy, part romance, part police procedural and part love letter to Lisbon in the early 1900s...[the author] does a lovely job connecting magical, historical and romantic elements." --Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
The rebellious Valen has spent his life trying to escape his family legacy. But his fate is sealed when he winds up half-dead, addicted to an enchantment-which leads him into a world he could never possibly imagine...
Synopsis
For two years, Oriana Paredes has been a spy among the social elite of the Golden City, reporting back to her people, the sereia, sea folk banned from the citys shores.... When her employer and only confidante decides to elope, Oriana agrees to accompany her to Paris. But before they can depart, the two women are abducted and left to drown. Trapped beneath the waves, Oriana survives because of her heritage, but she is forced to watch her only friend die.
Vowing vengeance, Oriana crosses paths with Duilio Ferreiraa police consultant who has been investigating the disappearance of a string of servants from the citys wealthiest homes. Duilio also has a secret: He is a seer and his gifts have led him to Oriana.
Bound by their secrets, not trusting each other completely yet having no choice but to work together, Oriana and Duilio must expose a twisted plot of magic so dark that it could cause the very fabric of history to come undone....
About the Author
Though Colorado is home, Carol Berg's roots are in Texas, in a family of teachers, musicians, and railroad men. She has degrees in mathematics from Rice University and computer science from the University of Colorado, but managed to squeeze in minors in English and art history along the way. She has combined a career as a software engineer with her writing, while also raising three sons. She lives with her husband at the foot of the Colorado mountains.