She hunts the realm’s most dangerous game. Her fees are exorbitant. She’s worth every coin she receives. Or is she? Magiere has earned a reputation as the most formidable vampire slayer in the land. Villagers far and wide welcome her with both awe and disdain—grateful to her for ridding their towns of the undead menace, but finding themselves made poorer for their salvation. Magiere knows she’s dealing with simple folk, who only wish to have their superstitions silenced, and sees nothing wrong with exploiting them for profit. Now, tired of the game, Magiere and her partner, the half-elf Leesil, are ready to hang up their weapons and settle down in a place they can finally call home. But their newfound peace will not last—for Magiere has come to the attention of a trio of powerful and dangerous vampires who know her true identity—and fear the birthright that flows through her veins. And they will stop at nothing to keep Magiere from fulfilling her destiny.

On the heels of Dhampir, Barb and J.C. Hendee's acclaimed Fantasy debut, comes Thief of Lives, the new novel featuring Magiere and Leesil, Slayers of the Undead... Magiere the dhampir thinks that her nights of hunting vampires are over. After settling down in her newly adopted village of Miiska—now vampire-free, thanks to her and her half-elf partner, Leesil—she looks forward to quiet days tending to her tavern. But far away in the capital city of Bela, a prominent councilman's daughter has been found dead on her own doorstep... and all signs point to a vampire. Knowing that the battered and burned village of Miiska could use an infusion of cash, Bela's town council offers a generous bounty to the dhampir if she will slay their vampire. Magiere resists, wanting nothing more than to forget her past and ignore her half-vampire nature. Only Leesil can persuade Magiere to follow her destiny—before more innocent lives are claimed by darkness.

The Noble Dead saga continues as Magiere and Leesil, the slayers of the undead for Dhampir and Thief of Lives, embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of their mysterious origins—and those responsible for orchestrating the events that brought them together... Magiere is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire—sired for the purpose of slaying the undead. Outside the village of Chemestúk, where she was born and raised, stands her father's keep. Within its walls, she hopes to discover the secrets of her past and figure out why a vampire would wish to breed a creature capable of slaughtering his own kind... But there are those who don't want Magiere to learn the truth—and when her half-elf partner, Leesil, makes a startling discovery in the keep, he can understand why. Before Leesil can reveal the truth to Magiere, they must vanquish a creature of unimaginable and unlimited power who has damned a small village of people with a horrifying curse... "Fabulous entertainment wrought with mystery, adventure, and sharp-toothed wit." —Mark Anthony, Author of Beyond the Pale"Another satisfying entry in the Hendees' lively series." —Kristine Huntley, Booklist: American Library Association"Sister of the Dead and its predecessors involve readers on a visceral, highly emotional level and fulfill a craving for nifty magic, exciting action scenes, and a strong heroine who defies genre clichés." —Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine"The Hendees have created an intriguing series characterized by nonstop adventure, multilayered mysteries, and enough blood-sucking characters to satisfy even the most hard-core vampire fan." —Paul Goat Allen, Barnes & Noble Review

Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave to Lord Darmouth, ruler to one of its independent provinces. But Leesil's mother trained him too well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now, with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate. Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who may try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her—one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her... and all those she loves. "This is one of those books for which the term 'dark fantasy' was definitely intended." —Chronicle"...the Hendees' Saga of the Noble Dead features generous helpings of blood-sucking horror and whodunit mystery elements. Literally overflowing with nonstop action, this cool amalgam of genres will appeal to readers—alive and undead—who enjoy taking that occasional literary walk on the wild side." —Paul Goat Allen, Barnes & Noble Review"The Hendees' bestselling Noble Dead series makes the leap from mass market to hardcover with this winning fourth novel... Fans of the series are sure to be pleased, while the novel stands well enough on its own to attract new readers." —Publishers Weekly"The personal conflicts of the heroes mirror the larger struggles in their world and provide a solid foundation for this tale of love and loyalty in a world of betrayal." —Jackie Cassada, "SF/Fantasy column", Library Journal

The Noble Dead Saga has been hailed as “fabulous entertainment wrought with mystery, adventure, and sharp-toothed wit.” \ Now the “action-packed” \\* adventures of Magiere and Leesil continue as they journey into the dangerous and mysterious Elven Territories... Desperate to free his mother from a caste of ruthless elven assassins, Leesil pushes on through the mountains at the height of a harsh winter. Obsession blinds him to reason, and he and his companions—his beloved Magiere, the sage Wynn, and their canine protector, Chap—find their lives at stake under the hardships of the wilderness. Should they survive, they still face the perils of the Elven Territories, a culture of tranquil beauty, savage customs, and deep-rooted hatred and fear of all humankind. Magiere was created with strange powers by a shadowy, long-forgotten enemy of many names—an enemy whom Leesil was trained from childhood to kill. Unbeknownst to them, Chap brought them together at the command of his kin, the Fay, to forge an alliance that might have the power to stand against the forces of dark magics. In the place of his birth, Chap must guard his companions from enemies and allies alike, though he is not always certain which is which. And as they uncover the truth, they discover just how close the enemy has always been... \* Mark Anthony, author of The Last Rune series \\ Midwest Book Review "...a hybrid crossing Tolkienesque fantasy with vampire-infused horror..." —Publisher's Weekly"A real page-turner for Noble Dead series newcomers and veterans alike." —Frieda Murray, Booklist: American Library Association."Fans of the Hendees' Noble Dead series who have been trying to understand the saga's many unexplained mysteries will be absolutely blown away by the bombshell plot twists revealed in Rebel Fay... Fantasy fans who like their adventures done very rare—fast and bloody &mdash: should definitely check out this addictively readable saga, which seamlessly blends the vampire mythos with high fantasy." —Paul Goat Allen, The Barnes & Noble Review

"Any list of the best writers of vampire novels working today must include the dynamic duo of Barb & J.C. Hendee." —Rambles “A mix of The Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer,”\* the Noble Dead Saga has won legions of readers with its epic adventure, bloodthirsty evil, and imaginative characters. At last, long sought secrets will be revealed... and old scores settled. For many months, Magiere and Leesil have searched for a forgotten artifact, even though its purpose has been shrouded in mystery. All Magiere knows is that she must keep the orb from falling into the hands of a murdering Noble Dead: her half brother, Welstiel. And now dreams of a castle locked in ice lead her south, on a journey that has become nothing less than an obsession... Accompanying Magiere and Leesil are the sage Wynn; their canine protector, Chap; and two elven assassins-turned-guardians who must fight their distrust of this sister of the dead. For forces more powerful than they—some may even say fate—are rallying around Magiere, arming her for the conflict to come, because finding the orb may be just the beginning of the challenges that await her. \* New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson "Interspecies distrust, grand ambitions, and the lure of dangerous secrets protected by the undead drive the action in this neat mix of horror with more traditional fantasy elements." —Publisher's Weekly

Hailed by New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson as "a mix of The Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the Noble Dead Saga has become one of the premiere dark fantasy sagas. Now a new chapter begins as a young woman discovers her true potential for heroics against the shadows of evil.... After escaping the castle of ancient vampires with Magiere and Leesil, Wynn Hygeorht has returned to Calm Seatt, home of the Guild of Sagecraft, bearing texts supposedly penned by vampires from the time of the Forgotten History and the Great War. Her superiors seize both the ancient texts and her personal journals, dismissing her tales of the undead as delusional fancies. But the guild's scholars have not dismissed the texts. Without Wynn's consent, they begin sending the texts out to scriptoriums for copying. Then one night several pages disappear—and the two sages charged with conveying these pages are murdered. Suspicious of the Guild, separated from the only friends she fully trusts, and convinced the Noble Dead are responsible for the killings, Wynn embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the texts, unaware of her allies from unexpected quarters...

The Noble Dead Saga is a national bestselling phenomenon. Now the epic finds the young scholar Wynn Hygeorht, without Magiere and Leesil to guide her, continuing her own dangerous quest—pursued by the forces of darkness. Wynn is determined to recover the ancient texts she brought back from the castle in the Farlands. She has only one hint to their location: She overhead one whispered dwarven word that suggested the "Stonewalkers" may be involved. So she journeys to the mountain stronghold of the dwarves in search of this unknown sect. With two uncertain allies as guides—Chane Andraso, a vampire, and Shade, an elven wolf—she must enter those depths and fathom ancestral religions, oral traditions, and deeper customs. In her obsession for the texts, she will find more puzzles and questions buried in secrets old and new... along with an enemy she thought destroyed.

“Another must-read... the Hendees, if given a chance to complete their entire saga, may yet produce a combined fantasy masterwork that will surely stand on the highest pinnacles of literary fantasy lore.... As always, the Hendees keep 'em coming." —Bookspot Central In each of its novels, the Noble Dead saga has swept readers into "action sequences that fantasy lore is made of"\ and "Tolkienesque fantasy [and] vampire-infused horror."\\* Now young journeyor sage Wynn Hygeorht finds herself cast into the wilds on a dangerous quest for knowledge that may instead lead to her own doom.... Wynn has returned safely to the Guild of Sagecraft with her companions, the vampire Chane Andraso and Shade, an elven wolf. Though Wynn managed to regain her seized journals, she received only a glimpse of the ancient texts penned by forgotten vampires, and once again, the volumes have slipped from her grasp. The price for her brief success may prove costly. For the animosity of her guild superiors has grown even fiercer. This time, instead of cloistering her, they purposely give her a mission so tedious, it will keep her out of the way for as long as possible. But Wynn has her own plans. She sets out in search of another dwarven stronghold: a place few have ever heard of called Bäalâle Seatt. It may well be the last resting place of an orb—one of five such mysterious devices used by the Ancient Enemy in the mythical war of the Forgotten History. Whatever caused Bäalâle to fall to the enemy, she knows that one mythical figure was somehow involved: the infamous Lord of Slaughter. And that dwarven mass murderer's direct descendant, an errant stonewalker, will never let Wynn out of his sight. If only that were all she had to worry about. \\ Publishers Weekly

"A unique tale of vampires and half-vampire undead hunters set against a dark fantasy world ruled by tyrants." the Noble Dead saga continues to entrance readers with action-packed adventures and an intriguing mythology. Now national bestselling authors Barb and J.C. Hendee present the long-awaited return of dhampir Magiere and half-elf Leesil.... Wynn Hygeort receives unexpected visitors at the guild of Sagecraft. Magiere and Leesil, along with the elven wolf Chap, have come for her, but Wynn can't afford to leave. She needs access to the texts within the guild's archives, which may help her decipher the locations of the last two orbs sought by the Ancient Enemy. There are five orbs in total. Magiere and Leesil have two of them in safekeeping. Chane Andraso, the vampire who loves Wynn, has hidden the Orb of Earth on her orders. To complete her task - and protect the orbs - Wynn must remain sequestered from her friends. But she's essentially a prisoner. One of the guild's superiors is just as eager for Wynn to translate the ancient texts, but she knows the others will not permit her to share that knowledge - knowledge Magiere and Leesil desperately need if they're going to stop the Ancient Enemy from unleashing war on the land....

Barely escaping the city of Calm Seatt - and the assassins hunting them - Magiere, Leesil, and the elven dog Chap sail south to continue their quest to find the powerful orb of Air before their enemies do. But they are not alone, much to their frustration. Aging elven assassin Brot’an has forced himself on them by offering his protection. Chap doesn’t believe this ruse, however, and seeks to uncover the assassin’s true agenda - as well as the cause of the secret civil war that has erupted into the open among Brot'an's people. Meanwhile, Magiere struggles with her own dark nature, using Leesil’s love as an anchor to keep her grounded. For the personal price she paid to procure the orb of Fire was more than she thought - and more than she wants to reveal to anyone else. But that is exactly what the cunning Brot’an wants to know. And he is willing to do whatever it takes - even if he must reveal his own dreaded secrets, which may cost the entire party their lives...and their very souls

In her quest to find the Orb of Spirit, Wynn Hygeorht is torn between two men who hate each other—her vampire protector, Chane Andraso, and the elf Osha, who has tender feelings for her. Now a strange series of clues leads them to a remote keep built on the dark cliffs of the coast of Witeny. The young duke there has been undergoing some disturbing changes—and so have the people and livestock in the outlying villages. Wynn has no idea what awaits her at this keep—an old enemy who wants nothing more than to see her dead. At the same time, Dhampir Magiere, Leesil, and Chap continue their desperate search for the Orb of Air, still burdened with the master assassin, Brot’an, and the elven outcast girl, Wayfarer. Still hunted by a team of assassins, they escape on the first available ship only to find themselves under the power of a sadistic captain. Even if they manage to survive this voyage, there is a trap waiting for them at the journey’s end that is beyond anything they can imagine…

National bestselling authors Barb and J. C. Hendee present the newest breathtaking chapter in the epic Noble Dead saga.... Waylaid in their quest for the orb of the Air, Magiere, Leesil, Chap, and Wayfarer have all been wrongly imprisoned. But it is Magiere, the dhampir, who suffers the most as a cloaked interrogator employs telepathic torture. Arriving at the Suman port city in search of Magiere, Wynn Hygeorht and her companions—including vampire Chane Andraso—seek out Domin Ghassan il’Sänke for assistance, which proves no easy task. The domin is embroiled in a secret hunt for a spectral undead with the power to invade anyone living and take the body as its host. Even if Wynn can manage to free her friends from prison, battling this entirely new kind of undead hidden inside host bodies may be a challenge none of them can survive....

The New York Times bestselling authors of First and Last Sorcerer present the final breathtaking chapter in their epic Noble Dead saga.... With much relief, Magiere, Leesil, and Chap prepare to hide the last two of the powerful orbs. Once this last great task is completed, Magiere can take Leesil home to a life of peace. Then, rumors reach them that a horde of undead creatures, slaughtering everything in their wake, are gathering in the far east regions of the Suman desert. This gathering could only be caused by the Ancient Enemy awakening. With no other choice, Magiere tells Leesil they cannot go home yet. They must go to the desert and seek to learn if the rumors are true . . . and if so, face an awakening evil: The Night Voice.