The Dread: The Fallen Kings Cycle: Book Two (71 page)
The king turned his attention back to Blaine. “The penalty for killing a noble—not to mention your own father—is beheading.”
A gasp went up from the crowd. Carensa swayed in her seat as if she might faint, and Judith reached out to steady her.
“Lord Ian McFadden was a loyal member of my Council. I valued his presence beside me whether we rode in war or in the hunt.” The king’s voice dropped, and Blaine doubted that many aside from the guards could hear his next words. “Yet I was not blind to his faults.
“For that reason,” the king said, raising his voice once more, “I will show mercy.”
It seemed as if the entire crowd held its breath. Blaine steeled himself, willing his expression to show nothing of his fear.
“Blaine McFadden, I strip from you the title of Lord of Glenreith, and I give that title in trust to your brother, Carr, when he reaches his majority. Your lands and your holdings are likewise no longer your own. For your crime, I sentence you to transportation to the penal colony on Velant, where you will live out the rest of your days. So be it.”
The king rose and swept from the room in a blur of crimson and ermine, followed by a brace of guards. A stunned silence hung over the crowd, broken only by Carensa’s sobbing. As the guards wrestled Blaine to his feet, he dared to look back. Judith’s face was drawn and her eyes held a hopelessness that made Blaine wince. Carensa’s face was buried in her hands, and although
Judith placed an arm around her, Carensa would not be comforted.
The solders shoved him hard enough that he stumbled, and the gallery crowd woke from its momentary silence. Jeers and catcalls followed him until the huge mahogany doors of the judgment chamber slammed shut.
The Summoner
The Blood King
Dark Haven
Dark Lady’s Chosen
The Sworn
The Dread
The Sworn
“Fans of Martin’s previous series as well as those who enjoy the large-scale fantasy of George R.R. Martin and Robert Jordan should enjoy this series opener.”
—
Library Journal
“Well written and full of action, this grabs the reader on the first page and refuses to let go until the very last page.”
—RT (four stars)
“Very well-written and intricately plotted epic fantasy novel in a great setting, and I can’t wait for the second book.”
“Top notch, engrossing fantasy.”
“The characters are the highlight of this book. Gail Z. Martin has clearly taken a great deal of time and care in drawing them into the world.”
The Summoner
“Gail Z. Martin has a good grasp of pacing, and tells a fast-paced tale laced with plenty of action.”
“I loved this story from beginning to end. Packed with suspense, excitement, and colorful characters,
The Summoner
is a true epic fantasy. Gail Martin has done a wonderful job of taking well-known story elements and infusing them into a truly magical tale.”
“
The Summoner
is consistently composed, easy to get into and reads very quickly… It offers plenty of sword & sorcery action…”
—
Fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com
“Martin’s first novel, a series opener, presents a beleaguered hero with a unique gift of communicating with the dead… this fantasy adventure belongs in most libraries.”
—
Library Journal
“We can be thankful for this breath of new life Martin has summoned into the fantasy genre… Gail Z. Martin is certain to keep her readers entranced from page one to the finale.”
—
Kankakee Journal
“Attractive characters and an imaginative setting combine in an excellent, fast-moving quest novel.”
—David Drake, author of
Some Golden Harbor and Other Times Than Peace
“A rich, evocative story with vivid, believable characters moving through a beautifully realized world with all the quirks, depths and levels of a real place. A terrific read!”
—A.J. Hartley, author of
The Mask of Atreus
and
On the Fifth Day
“
The Summoner
is a pleasant and enjoyable read that any lover of fantasy should enjoy. The characters are well developed and the story line is solid.”
—
Midwest Book Review
The Blood King
“
The Blood King
is the riveting sequel to
The Summoner
. It entertained and kept me spellbound to the end. When I turned the last page I couldn’t help but wish for more.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“These novels were quite good, and very easy to read. Diverting and fun.”
—
Cosmo Digital
“As epic dark fantasy goes,
The Blood King
was entertaining and satisfactory. Martin’s strengths lie in worldbuilding and the big picture. I’ll be interested in seeing what Martin does next, as I believe she has a lot of potential.”
Dark Haven
“With creepy ghosts, nefarious undead, magic, plenty of intrigue, and even a little romance, high fantasy fans shouldn’t miss this series.”
“My recommendation for this series gets stronger with each book, so just buy it now before I start going door-to-door!”
“Rather than get bogged down in details or endless back-and-forth dialogues between characters for the sake of argument, Martin keeps things zipping along. For the type of reader who views plot as a way to get the various characters on stage and interacting, however,
Dark Haven
will be heavenly. The characters are undeniably strong and distinctive, and they get to show off in interesting ways on a regular basis.”
—Richard Dansky,
Fantasy Magazine
Dark Lady’s Chosen
“The air is thick with intrigue, threats and deception that captures the reader and sweeps them into the story. It’s one of those wonderful books you can’t bear to put down.
Dark Lady’s Chosen
is a satisfying and entertaining read that shouldn’t be missed.”
—Victoria Kennedy,
Midwest Book Review
“
Dark Lady’s Chosen
is well written and brings the reader fully into the universe… For fantasy lovers and those who just love a damn good story,
Dark Lady’s Chosen
and the Chronicles of the Necromancer are the perfect read.”
The Dread
Aberponte—
The Isencroft royal palace
Adares—
The name the Western Raiders call themselves
Aidane—
A ghost whore who finds herself at the center of political unrest because she bears messages from the dead
Alcion—
A traitor to the Eastmark crown, uncle of Prince Gethin; wrongfully court-martialed Jonmarc Vahanian years ago
Aldo the Wise—
Long-ago king of Isencroft
Alle—
Niece of Lady Eadoin, wife of Ban Soterius, former spy during the rebellion against Jared the Usurper
Allestyr—
Seneschal to the monarch of Isencroft
Alvior of Brunnfen—
Traitor to Isencroft, brother of Cam, Carina, and Renn
Alyzza—
Powerful elderly sorceress now presumed mad; a friend of Tris’s grandmother, Bava K’aa
Ansu—
Vayash moru
mage
Antoin—
Vayash moru
assigned to protect Kiara
Ashtenerath—
Men who have been turned into mindless
weapons by a combination of blood magic, potions, and torture
Astasia—
One of the
vayash moru
Blood Council, now gone rogue and presumed to have joined enemy forces
Athira/The Whore—
One of the eight aspects of the Sacred Goddess
Avencen—
Eastmark diplomat and adviser to Prince Gethin
Balaren—
Vayash moru
soldier assigned to protect Kiara
Ban Soterius—
Margolan general, close friend of Tris Drayke, a leader of the rebellion against Jared the Usurper; married to Alle
Bava K’aa—
Tris’s maternal grandmother, a famed and powerful sorceress who fought the Obsidian King and who mentored Tris in magic
Benhem—
A clever Isencroft mage
Berwyn (Berry)
—Queen of Principality, daughter of King Staden, friend of Jonmarc and Carina Vahanian
Bez—
Tattooed drum player in a roving band of musicians
Black Robes—
Also known as Shanthadurists; blood mages and devotees to the banished goddess Shanthadura the Destroyer
Brightmoor—
Lady Eadoin’s manor
Brother Albert—
Monk who tends the dying in Ford’s Crossing
Brother Felix—
Monastic mage who is an adviser to Kiara
Brother Gernon—
A crazy fire mage formerly held in Vistimar
Brunnfen—
The manor held by Cam and Carina’s family
Buka—
A mass murderer in Principality City
Cal—
Drone player in a group of traveling musicians; partner to Nezra
Cam—
Queen’s Champion of Isencroft, Lord of Brunnfen, twin brother to Lady Carina Vahanian, close friend of Kiara’s; brother to Renn and Alvior the traitor
Captain Remir—
Loyal soldier to Kiara
Captain Vyn Lange—
Captain of a garrison protecting Brunnfen
Carina—
Twin sister of Cam, wife of Lord Jonmarc Vahanian, former court healer to King Donelan, cousin to Kiara, one of the most gifted healers in the Winter Kingdoms
Carroway—
Master Bard of Margolan, close friend to Tris Drayke, married to Macaria
Cerise—
Personal healer to Kiara
Ceshilban, of Clan Dromlea—
One of the ghostly Clan Lords of Isencroft
Cheira—
A shaman leader among the Sworn
Chenne the Warrior—
An Aspect of the Sacred Goddess, especially revered in Isencroft
Childe—
An Aspect of the Sacred Goddess, especially revered in Margolan
Clan Dromlea—
One of the ancient clans of Isencroft
Clan Dunlurghan—
One of the ancient clans of Isencroft