
Part of Series
This 1st book in a new fantasy series from the author of the acclaimed Song of the Shattered Sands series follows an unlikely pair as they expose the secrets at the heart of the mountain city of Ancris. Lorelei Aurelius is the smartest inquisitor in the mountain city of Ancris. When a mysterious tip leads her to a clandestine meeting between the Church and the hated Red Knives, she uncovers a plot that threatens not only her home but the empire itself. The trail leads her to Rylan Holbrooke, a notorious thief posing as a dragon singer. Rylan came to Ancris to solve the very same mystery she stumbled onto. Knowing his incarceration could lead to the Red Knives’ achieving their goals, Lorelei makes a fateful she frees him. Now branded as traitors, the two flee the city on dragonback. In the massive forest known as the Holt, they discover something terrible. The Red Knives are planning to awaken a powerful demigod in the holiest shrine in Ancris, and for some reason the Church is willing to allow it. It forces their return to Ancris, where the unlikely allies must rally the very people who’ve vowed to capture them before it’s too late. Explore the mountain city of Ancris, where fast-paced adventure and intrigue abound. in this new offering from the author of the acclaimed Song of the Shattered Sands series.
Author

Bradley P. Beaulieu began writing his first fantasy novel in college, but life eventually intervened. As time went on, though, Brad realized that his love of writing and telling tales wasn't going to just slink quietly into the night. The drive to write came back full force in the early 2000s, at which point Brad dedicated himself to the craft, writing and learning under the guidance of writers like Nancy Kress, Joe Haldeman, Tim Powers, Holly Black, and many more. Brad and his novels have garnered many accolades including two Hotties—the Debut of the Year and Best New Voice—on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist, a Gemmell Morningstar Award nomination for The Winds of Khalakovo and more: * Top Ten Book and Debut of the Year for 2011 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist for The Winds of Khalakovo * Best New Voice of 2011 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist * 2011 Gemmell Morningstar Award Nomination for The Winds of Khalakovo * Top Ten Debut for The Winds of Khalakovo on Ranting Dragon's Best of 2011 * Top Ten Debut for The Winds of Khalakovo on Mad Hatter's Best of 2011 * Top Five Book for 2012 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist for The Straits of Galahesh * 2012 Most Anticipated for The Straits of Galahesh on Staffer's Book Review * 2012 Most Anticipated for The Straits of Galahesh on The Ranting Dragon * 2013 Most Anticipated for The Flames of Shadam Khoreh on The Ranting Dragon Brad continues to work on his next projects, including an Arabian Nights epic fantasy and a Norse-inspired middle grade series. He also runs the highly successful science fiction & fantasy podcast, Speculate, which can be found at speculatesf.com. Novels THE LAYS OF ANUSKAYA * The Winds of Khalakovo * The Straits of Galahesh * The Flames of Shadam Khoreh Short Story Collections * Lest Our Passage Be Forgotten & Other Stories Novellas * Strata (with Stephen Gaskell) Contact Information Website: www.quillings.com Twitter: @bbeaulieu Facebook: facebook.com/bradley.p.beaulieu