When Prince Cobalt the Black launches a surprise assault upon the Citadel of Rumors and frees the exiled king of Harsdown, the lives of the current ruling family, the Dawnfields, are thrown into uncertainty. Historically, the men of Cobalt's family are known for their ruthlessness and dark tempers; but in order to avoid a war, Melody Dawnfield must agree to marry Cobalt, joining him at his grandfather's isolated home in the Misted Cliffs.

Like her parents, Mel is a sphere mage, although she is still coming into her powers. When she learns that Cobalt and his family plan to invade a neighboring kingdom, she must use her fledgling powers to warn her parents... and must decide whether her growing love for her husband is reason enough to stand by his side in battle. While Mel learns that Cobalt is a far gentler man than rumor would have it, she cannot deny that his frightening ambitions make him dangerous -- if not to her, then to the world.

In THE MISTED CLIFFS, readers return to the world of Aronsdale, previously explored by Ms. Asaro in The Charmed Sphere and Moonglow. First-time readers will have a bit of catching up to do, particularly when learning to understand the unique shape-and-color hierarchy used to describe magic, but the history lesson woven into the first few chapters of the novel is more than adequate to serve as an introduction to Aronsdale. Likewise, those without prior exposure to the world of Aronsdale may find the literalist names (Dancer, Chime, Cobalt, and so forth) a bit off-putting, at first. It may take a few chapters to grow accustomed to the style.

Once that's out of the way, lovers of fantasy will find THE MISTED CLIFFS a charming tale that defies the usual stereotypes. Readers, beware: While Ms. Asaro brings the immediate conflict to a conclusion, the groundwork for a sequel is already in place. Those who read this book will not escape Aronsdale easily!