Seasons come and seasons go as do myths and tales of magic.
Sometimes, however, there's more to each of these things
than just what appears on the surface. For young Jareth
Vasalen, each of these things awakens and shows themselves
for what they really are on the day he finds a rare
blessing cloth. Magical and mysterious, its touch awakens
the spring within his soul along with whispered memories of
other times.
Overnight, Jareth becomes the Kevat-aanta, the Spring-
Bringer, and dons the legendary myth like a cloak around
his shoulders. What once was only sung about in songs is
now made reality in him. He can hear the whispers of all
the living things who talk and also answer his call. For
years, Jareth gives freely of his talent, awaking the
seasons when needed, finding those who are lost and
ensuring prosperity for his people. Yet all is not as
perfect as it seems. Deep inside, a fear whispers to him
each time he brings the seasons forth, that maybe he won't
be able to do it again. Slowly, he builds a wall around his
heart, never knowing he is doing so. Slowly, he denies the
dreams that try to speak to him of something more.
Kevla of Arukan, known as the Flame Dancer, comes with her
dragon companion to search for the Stone Dancer. The bitter
memory of her short time with her beloved Jashemi, brother,
lover and Lorekeeper, weighs heavily on her mind. Yet much
more is at stake, forthe fate of the world rests in her
ability to find and unite the five elemental dancers in
order to defeat the Shadows one last time. The score is
even, for in past lifetimes, twice the Shadows of evil have
succeeded and twice the Dancers have won. This then is the
last chance their world has to throw off the darkness or
forever be consumed by it. The dread Emperor knows this and
will stop at nothing to ensure his plans are successful.
Kevla must fight the Emperor and her own demons and find
the Stone Dancer. But if myths and legends can come to
life, then there may be more enemies to fight than just the
Emperor.
Suddenly, all that is spring has turned to ice and love has
turned to stone, when the Ice Maiden steps out of the same
songbook as the Spring-Bringer. Will love and destiny win
over those touched by fate and shadow? Or will the battle
be lost before it's even truly begun?
Continuing her Final Dance series (following ON FIRE'S
WINGS), Golden delivers another amazing and compelling look
into her fantasy world. She's filled this world of magic
and breathtaking imagery with engaging people very much
like those found in our own. Once again, her characters
sing with poignant real flaws and multifaceted layers of
emotion as elemental as the dancers themselves. They're
courageous and colorful, and the settings are fantastic and
vividly real. She wields her plot twisting tale, leaving
the mind to continuously wonder until all is revealed. It's
a delight to turn each page and a pang of sadness when the
last one is done. Definitely one of the freshest and most
innovative fantasy series around. I can't wait for UNDER
SEA'S SHADOW to dance out onto the shelves next year.
Flame Dancer Kevla of Arukan seeks the missing elements --
Stone and Sea, Wind and Soul -- that must join to preserve
their world from destruction. Sensing that the Stone
Dancer, the master of Earth magic, would be found in the
icy north, she and her dragon companion fly to a country
mired in an unnaturally long winter. When at last they find
Jareth, the Stone Dancer's own anger and pain make him
reluctant to accept his destiny. His need for vengeance
against the old gods who betrayed his people is powerful --
powerful enough to lead the group farther into the snows,
searching for the legendary Ice Maiden, who may be
responsible for the forced winter. But betrayal doesn't
come only from the gods -- and the forces against them are
vast. Before their quest is over, Kevla must realize that
while Flame can break through the chill of the winter,
Stone can withstand anything...
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