Inferno: Cassandra's Call

Cassandra Blackthorne, an unusual noble with an unusual ability, recruits a reticent bounty hunter and a brash street-fighting youth to join her on a daring quest in the epic first installment of Inferno.

In a world where each new moon renews Earth's hunger for human sacrifices, the Order of Pure and Cleansing Inferno administers the Ritual, delivering a chosen few to the flames to forestall the End of Days. Most grudgingly accept the Ritual as necessary, and a few revere the Order for protecting life as they know it. Rare indeed is the person who questions either, but Lady Cassandra has never behaved according to expectations. She believes that she can put a stop to the bloody Ritual with the help of a renowned mercenary known only as Moose. Will Moose and Cassandra work together to uncover the secrets of the powerful Order, or will they betray each other in the end? Will the addition of Alex, a reckless brawler without a home, strengthen the party or strain it?

The Inferno series balances action worthy of any sword-and-sorcery adventure with character arcs reminiscent of Chris Claremont or Joss Whedon. In the tradition of the very best science fiction and fantasy, it explores themes of personal identity, order and chaos, social structure, and the meaning of family. If you have enjoyed writers like Ursula K. Le Guin, Terry Goodkind, or Philip Pullman, this series is for you.