Jennifer Fallon is the author of the bestselling Hythrun Chronicles, which began with the Demon Child Trilogy (Medalon, Treason Keep, Harshini). The Wolfblade Trilogy is set before the events of the Demon Child Trilogy, and follows the adventures of Damin Wolfblade's mother, Her Highness Marla Wolfblade of Hythria.
In Australian author Fallon's solid second installment of her Wolfblade fantasy trilogy (after Wolfblade), Damin Wolfblade, heir to the High Throne of Hythria, learns "the Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power" from the dwarf Elezaar at the insistence of his powerful mother, Marla, High Prince Lernen's sister. The teenage Damin, along with his siblings, stepsiblings and various other young relatives, find themselves caught up in court intrigue and backstabbing schemes, not to mention an assassination plot or two. As Damin grows to manhood, he learns whom he should hold close, whom he should keep at a distance and just how much of his keen intelligence and political skills he needs to hide. Damin is indeed his mother's son. While this middle book's somewhat predictable maneuvering for position engages the reader's interest, one is left hoping the concluding volume will offer more swashbuckling action. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
"Epic fantasy with political intrigue... a thrilling, page-turning saga. The complex characters and plot twists are perfect for those who like their sword-and-sorcery on a higher level." --Romantic Times BOOKReviews"Fallon sets the stage for another lively fantasy saga full of intriguing characters, smart dialogue and twisty plotting." --Publishers Weekly on Wolfblade"A warm and intriguing book with all-too-human characters who draw you in more deeply with each page." --L.E. Modesitt, Jr. on Medalon"A well-executed fantasy with complex characters and entertaining style." --Kirkus Reviews on Treason Keep"The battles are fierce, the losses heartrending in Fallon's beautifully created world, whose disparate inhabitants are once again completely convincing, making Harshini a chilling, thrilling conclusion to the trilogy." --Booklist on Harshini"
Adult/High School-It's been eight long years since ambitious Marla Wolfblade buried her husband and claimed royal power for herself. This second volume in the trilogy shows her shift in focus from securing her own power to transferring it to her teenage son, Damin. Elezaar, the dwarf who taught her everything she knows, takes young Damin under his wing and teaches him the "Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power," a fantasy-world version of Machiavellian methods. Damin proves an apt pupil, but just as he nears the age of taking the throne, the lord High Arrion of the Sorcerers' Collective, a dark and devious faction within the kingdom, decides to turn the young ruler into a puppet or tear the throne away from him. Damin must decide whom he can trust and how to claim what belongs to him. With strong characters and layers of political subtext, Fallon creates a tight tale of intrigue, espionage, thievery, and assassination attempts. Despite being the second part of a trilogy, this volume stands on its own as a coming-of-age story. Those looking for action-packed, sword-wielding quests will likely find Damin's story slow but those craving subtle variations within the field of fantasy will find much to enjoy.-Matthew L. Moffett, Ford's Theatre Society, Washington, DC Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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