Sorcerer's Moon: The Boreal Moon Tale: Book Three

Dangerous family secrets and the growing threat of Salka invasion make for arcane bombast and treacherous politics in May's taut, fast-paced third Boreal Moon Tale (after 2005's Ironcrown Moon ). As King Conrig of High Blenholme readies for war with the tentacled Salka, his official heir, son Orrion, foolishly bargains with the ancient magical Beaconfolk to gain the hand of his true love, Nyla, rather than wed Hyndry, the daughter of King Somarus, Conrig's ally. The Beaconfolk take his sword arm, leaving him unfit to rule and the fate of the royal dynasty in turmoil. Meanwhile, Deveron Austrey, Conrig's former spy, seeks Dyfrig, Conrig's true firstborn son and heir, and the wife Conrig divorced years earlier, in the hope of setting things right. Given the complex backstory as well as the immense cast, new readers would do well to start with the first of this epic fantasy series, Conqueror's Moon (2004). (Aug.)