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The third volume in this epic fantasy in the tradition of Frank Herbert's phenomenal DUNE series. For one hundred and one years the Kundalans have lived under the oppressive yoke of the V'ornn invaders. But according to prophecy a saviour, the Dar Sala-at, will arrive at their hour of greatest need. And by the forging together of two souls - those of a V'ornn prince and a young Kundalan woman named Riane - this hero has now been incarnated. But the sauromicians, a secret society of outcast sorcerers, are plotting the Dar Sala-at's downfall. At their disposal they have eight ancient banestones, recovered from the sacred buried city of Za Hara-at. Each stone is a source of immense malevolent power, but if the sauromicians find the final missing stone, all nine together will form an engine of unimaginable destruction, bringing doom to Kundala and all of her inhabitants. Although beset by enemies on all sides, Riane is aided in her quest by a loyal and loving group of trusted friends, both V'ornn and Kundalan. Together they are committed to overcoming the dangers in their path to ensure that Riane fulfils the prophecy and Kundala is released from peril.
The fate of the Kundalan people rests upon the discovery of the final banestone before a cabal of sorcerers can unite all nine to unleash total destruction. Riane, the human half of the prophesied Dar Sala-at, must navigate a world fractured by the V'ornn occupation while evading the Sauromicians. She relies on a diverse coalition of allies to protect her as she seeks to fulfill an ancient destiny. The narrative follows a traditional epic structure, alternating between the political maneuvering of the invaders and the mystical quest of the resistance.
This work is characterized by its adherence to the conventions of epic fantasy, emphasizing a sprawling conflict and a clear struggle between light and dark forces. The narrative relies on the interplay between prophecy and individual agency, positioning the protagonists against an escalating threat of magical annihilation. Readers of the genre will recognize the familiar tropes of the chosen one and the gathering of artifacts, which serve to drive the pacing forward. The text focuses on the mechanics of the resistance against the V'ornn, suggesting a story that prioritizes world-building and the expansion of the established lore.
Page Count:
640
Publication Date:
2004-01-01
Publisher:
Voyager
ISBN-10:
0006486096
ISBN-13:
9780006486091
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