The Black Dream: Heart of the World 3

THE VOYAGE INTO DARKNESS HOLDS NO MERCY

"An impressively imagined war-ravaged world." Publishers Weekly

As the empire of Mann threatens the world with enslavement, only a single island nation continues to stand in its way - the Free Ports of the democras. For ten years they have held their own, but now the empire draws its noose even tighter around them.

Rallying to its defence are those from the secretive network known as the Few, including the cripple and arbiter, Coya Zeziké. Coya has hopes of enlisting the forest Contrarè in the aid of the besieged city of Bar-Khos. With him is Shard, the only Dreamer of the Free Ports, a woman capable of manipulating waking reality and the strange dimensions of the Black Dream.

The Roshun order of assassins have also engaged in the war at last. But Ash, their ailing farlander, has more urgent business to overcome. Facing him is a skyship voyage into the Great Hush, then further journeying to the fabled Isles of Sky, where he hopes to bring his dead apprentice Nico back to life. Yet, his voyage into the unknown may save more than just Nico . . . it may save the Free Ports themselves.

MORE PRAISE FOR THE SERIES

"Well rendered and nicely paced ... Stirring combat and vivid details." Kirkus Reviews

"Something special ... Buchanan writes vividly and well, and the story grips from the astonishing opening sequence to the unexpected conclusion." The Times

"Completely absorbing. Once I was into it, I just couldn't put it down." Glen Cook, author of The Black Company series

"Gripping ... Delightfully undermin[es] expectations." SFX