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The final, never-before-published volume in the noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling Children's author. 'The Cardinal is dead -- long live The Cardinal' For ten years Capac Raimi has ruled the City as The Cardinal. Created by the first Cardinal to rule after him and continue his legacy, Capac cannot be killed. But that doesn't stop his enemies trying. And he has a lot of enemies. In the past Capac's always been content to wait his adversaries out, safe in the knowledge that he can't lose playing a long game. But things are changing. Rival gangs are gaining power in the City. And figures from Capac's past are reappearing -- people only he remembers, the first Cardinal's other creations, who disappeared with him ten years ago. It can only mean one thing. The mysterious Incan priests, the ancient powers behind the City, have never been happy about ceding control to Capac. Now they have a plan to take the City back. And this time Capac really could have a fight to the death on his hands!
Capac Raimi, the immortal ruler of a gritty urban landscape, faces an existential threat as his long-standing control over the City is challenged by ancient, vengeful forces. As the current Cardinal, Capac has relied on his inability to die to outlast his rivals, but the sudden emergence of figures from his forgotten past signals a shift in the power dynamic. He must navigate a volatile environment where rival gangs and mysterious Incan priests conspire to dismantle his legacy. The narrative unfolds through a dark, atmospheric lens, tracking Capac's struggle to maintain order while his own history returns to haunt him.
This work is characterized by its departure from the author's typical younger-skewing catalog, leaning heavily into the conventions of adult noir and urban fantasy. The narrative structure suggests a focus on the psychological weight of immortality and the inevitable erosion of absolute power. Readers likely encounter a bleak, uncompromising tone that prioritizes the mechanics of a criminal underworld over traditional heroic tropes. The premise points to a conclusion that balances supernatural mythology with the visceral realities of gang warfare and political maneuvering.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
Harper Voyager
ISBN-10:
0007261349
ISBN-13:
9780007261345
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