Synopses & Reviews
When the legendary Briar King awoke from his slumber, a season of darkness and horror fell upon the Kingdom of Crotheny. Now countless breeds of unspeakable monsters roam the countryside. An epidemic of madness has transformed peaceful villagers from the wildlands into savage, flesh-eating fiends. In Eslen, King William has been murdered, Queen Muriele is stalked by treachery on every side, and their last surviving daughter, Anne, has fled the assassins bent on destroying her family.
Close on the heels of the runaway princess, young knight Neil MeqVren, the queen's one trusted ally, is sworn to rescue Anne from her murderous pursuers. Anne herself undertakes a perilous journey toward the sanctuary of her distant paramour's arms, but along the way lie the sinister agents and hidden snares of a sprawling conspiracy that few might hope to evade.
At the same time, spies in the service of Praifec Hespero, the powerful Churchman, embark upon a mission to destroy the Briar King in the heart of his domain. And the power-hungry Church, spurred on by the mystical events, has launched an inquisition whose repercussions threaten even the queen. As the noose of intrigue tightens across the land, personal fates and a kingdom's destiny alike will be decided in a conflict between virtue and malevolence, might and magic.
Here then is Book II of the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone: intoxicating and harrowing, passionate and grand?it is Greg Keyes's most ambitiously imagined and vividly rendered work of epic fantasy.
Review
"The excellent sequel to The Briar King (2003) continues to deliver impressive magical creatures, nonstop thrills, and engaging, believable characters. There will be more." Booklist
Review
"Keyes's sequel to The Briar King features a world of magic and fantastic creatures, prophecies, and bold warriors. Strong world building and superior storytelling make this epic a good choice for fantasy collections." Library Journal
Synopsis
In this gripping sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Briar King, an ancient evil stirs. Bloodthirsty creatures roam the forests, and, on the edge of the wild, entire villages of people go mad. The legendary Briar King has awakened, and he's taking back his land.
About the Author
Greg Keyes was born in Meridian, Mississippi, to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of Georgia before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of The Waterborn, The Blackgod, the Age of Unreason tetralogy, and the Star Wars New Jedi Order novels Edge of Victory I: Conquest, Edge of Victory II: Rebirth, and The Final Prophecy. He lives in Savannah, Georgia.