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!
One generation after war had nearly destroyed three nations,
evil was returning. And only Mel Dawnfield's daring
sacrifice could stop it.
The promise of peace rested on this young woman's noble vow:
to marry Cobalt the Dark—heir to a family of legendary
cruelty. With only her uncontrolled spells to guide her,
isolated in Cobalt's solitary home in the Misted Cliffs,
knowing poisoned blood ran through her husband's veins, Mel
struggled to embrace her unexplored mage powers and unveil
the light in her shadowy new world—including the radiance
hidden in her husband's soul. For her enemies were gathering
strength and they would soon unleash the darkest of evils in
the name of war.
In the final battle, Mel's ability to harness her magic
would mean the difference between a harmonious world...and
annihilation.
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