Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Why would anyone plot against Geder Palliako, Lord Regent of Antea? He's a dedicated ruler, a devoted guardian to young King Aster, and a pious devotee of the Spider Goddess of Truth. Yet people are inexplicably unfond of his brutal expansionist wars, unquestioning obedience to a cult with its own agenda, and habit of taking children hostage. Resistance to Palliako comes in all shapes and sizes: a traitor's widow launches a misinformation campaign to destabilize his court, an apostate priest and a mercenary captain attempt to kill the Spider Goddess, and a banker tries to rescue as much wealth and as many people as she can from the path of his invasion. The third novel in the Dagger and the Coin quintet (after The King's Blood) undermines expectations in the most satisfying ways. This smart, absorbing, fascinating military fantasy, exciting and genuinely suspenseful, will keep readers on their toes. Agent: Shawna McCarthy, the McCarthy Agency. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
The Lord Regent Geder Palliako has begun his great war determined to bring peace even if it means imposing his will on the rest of the world. Independent-minded banker Cithrin Bel Sarcour has returned to the Medean Bank and to the fold, but her desire to change the world has not lessened. Although her husband was executed as a traitor, Lady Clara Kalliam remains loyal to Prince Geder for the sake of her son, Jory, an officer in Geder's army; at the same time she secretly works against the prince. And Capt. Marcus Wester and his companions search for an ancient relic. The third volume in Abraham's epic fantasy (The Dragon's Path; The King's Blood) follows different factions as war looms and finally erupts. VERDICT Abraham is a graceful writer, treating his male and female characters with respect and exploring both their strengths and weaknesses; his latest calls to mind Melanie Rawn's "Sunrunner" and Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
