This Rough Magic
 The
Demon Chernobog
Foiled but Not Conquered
in The Shadow of the Lion
is Back to Conquer Sixteenth-Century Venice!
Chernobog had come within a hair of seizing absolute power in Venice, but
was thwarted by the guardian Lion-spirit, who awoke to protect his city
from the power-mad demon. But the power of the Lion is limited to Venice,
and Chernobog has a new ally in the King of Hungary, who has beseiged the
island of Corfu to seize control of the Adriatic from Venice. Trapped on
the island is the small band of heroes who awoke the Lion and thwarted
Chernobog before. Far from the Lions help, Manfred and Erik lead
guerrillas against the foe, and Maria discovers ancient magical powers on
the island. If she can make alliance with them, she may be able to repel
the invadersbut not without paying a bitter personal price. . . .
Praise for the Prequel, The Shadow of the Lion:
The prolific Lackey and cohorts Flint and Freer whip up a luscious
bouillabaisse of politics, intrigue, love and black magic set in an
Other-worldly, New-Age Venice. . . . The authors' use of contemporary
American vernacular . . . instead of pompous period speech keeps the pages
turning fast. . . . Publishers Weekly
[A] massive concoction of alternate history, high fantasy, and historical
romance set in the sixteenth-century Venice of an alternate world . . .
rich plotting, vivid characterization, and splendid evocation of
Renaissance ethics and culture should make readers turn all the pages.
Booklist
. . . a sweeping alternate history. .. .The authors deftly wield the
juxtaposition of fantasy and history into a finely crafted story.
Romantic Times
[A] top pick . . . fast-paced action and complex, believable settings.
The Bookwatch
Cover art by Larry Dixon
|
