Map’s Edge

Hair (Mother of Daemons) launches his Tethered Citadel series with this atmospheric fantasy. Raythe Dashryn Vyre, a high-ranking Otravian noble and praxis-sorcerer, takes on a new identity as the healer Dash Cowley after fleeing his country during the Bolgravian Empire’s conquest. When ailing Bolgravian Lord Vorei Gospodoi turns up at his door in faraway Teshveld demanding aid, Raythe’s identity is jeopardized. Gospodoi is returning from a mission mapping the no-man’s land of Verdessa—and Raythe learns that, unbeknownst to Gospodoi, one of his men discovered traces of the coveted mineral istariol during their expedition. A deadly confrontation ensues and Raythe emerges the victor, stealing the mission journal for himself. He recruits Teshveld’s townsfolk to help him mine the mineral, but their humble expedition to Verdessa faces enemies from all sides. As they contend with mercenaries and pursuit by the Bolgravian army, Hair builds the hunt for istariol into a riveting adventure. Though the plot doesn’t come with any unexpected twists, the palpable tension among Raythe’s caravan keeps the pages flying. Fantasy readers won’t want to put this down. [em](July) [/em]