Sisters of the Raven

Vital magic once wielded by men is now in the hands of women in this "provocative feminist fantasy" by the author of Dragonshadow (Publishers Weekly).

The Yellow City is in crisis. Men have always sustained civilization with magic: healing the sick, calling the rains, and even keeping the mice from the granaries. But now the wells are running dry, and the Sun Mages are suddenly powerless. Instead, the magic is appearing—inexplicably—in the hands of women.

Reaction from the men is swift and furious. Raeshaldis, the only female student of magic, finds the mages won't teach her the spells they can no longer work. Corn-Tassle Woman's budding powers can't protect her from her abusive husband. And the Summer Concubine must play the dutiful consort even as danger looms for her Raven sisters. 

For while famine threatens, fanatics riot, and slaves rebel, someone is abducting the most gifted female magic-workers . . .