cover image Upland Outlaws

Upland Outlaws

Dave Duncan. Del Rey Books, $18 (355pp) ISBN 978-0-345-37897-2

A paranoid ex-sorcerer attempts to take over a world of imps, fauns, dwarves, trolls, pixies and other races in this sequel to The Cutting Edge . After the death of his father, young Imperor Emshandar V (known to all as Shandie) is urged to flee by the dwarf warlock Raspnex, a member of the council that controls magic in the Impire. Raspnex warns that his nephew Zinixo has enthralled an army of sorcerers to help him take over the Impire and then the world. Joined by King Rap of Krasnegar, who has lost much of his power, Shandie, his family and a small band of followers escape, planning to foment a counterrevolution with a new Protocol governing magic. The group splits up: Shandie heads to Krasnegar to find Rap's prescient 14-year-old son, whose fate is mysteriously linked with that of the Imperor; Rap tracks rumors about slaves and a possible liberator; Lord Umpily noses around the capital; and Sir Acopulo searches for the other council members. Duncan plots a lively adventure with appealing protagonists capable of carrying the tale through the next two planned volumes. (May)