The Way of Light
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
They who walk the way of light cast a shadow...
In the Magravandian capital of Magrast, the emperor, Leonid, lies dying. His warring sons wait in the shadows to fight for the throne against the legitimate heir, Prince Gastern.
Valraven Palindrake, Dragon Lord of the imperial army, concerned only with keeping his family safe in these precarious times, has vowed to support Gastern. But other people, in secret cabals across the world, have different ideas, and see Valraven as the obvious champion to overthrow the rule of the decadent Malagashes. He is the Sea Dragon Heir of mystical Caradore, the only man in power fit to wear the ancient Crown of Silence that embodies all the best qualities of a true king.
While Valraven devotes himself to keeping order in Magrast in the run-up to Gastern’s coronation, his wife Varencienne and his daughter Ellony are kidnapped by the magus Taropat and his apprentice Shan, who are opposed to either Valraven or any of the Malagashes taking the throne.
As the new emperor goes slowly insane, tormented by horrific visions, Valraven is forced to face up to the dreams that others have invested in him. The elemental dragon spirits of old are waking from their timeless sleep, and the eternal conflict between them and Madragore, god of the Magravandians, will be played out through human avatars. While shadowy figures plot and scheme to secure the best result for themselves, Valraven and his family must face perils both physical and spiritual to reclaim their lost heritage and harness the power of Foy, the sea dragon queen, once more.
Published first in 2001, ‘The Way of Light’ concludes Storm Constantine’s Magravandias trilogy, a gripping epic fantasy series of intrigue, forbidden desire and magic.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Full of vivid and complex storytelling, this richly imagined, humane novel concludes the saga of the Magravandian Empire that began with Sea Dragon Heir and The Crown of Silence. The old emperor's death gives shadowy religious and political cabals a chance to maneuver for power. At the same time, personal cravings and sexual desires agitate members of the empire's powerful families, while the rival dragon-gods who represent elements of nature contend through their human avatars. Valraven (aka Lord Palindrake), head of the family once allied with the sea dragons, must first decide whether he wants to become the True King; then he must prove that he is worthy. Valraven's wife, Varencienne, also finds her role changing in unpredictable ways. Readers uneasy about entering such an intricate tale so late, however, shouldn't hesitate. For one thing, the author has a gift for creating compelling characters, whose motives are far from straightforward. Situations that seem initially to be sword-and-sorcery clich s turn out to be anything but, as Valraven and company discover more layers of meaning in events and have to reinterpret their own actions. Magic here is neither simple nor safe but an effort to tinker with powers too big for human control. As Constantine makes abundantly clear, even people who wish to walk the path of light must wade through darkness, especially as they try to escape narrow preconceptions. For all its strife, this is an affirmative book.
