By Sandy Amazeen Nov 13, 2006, 19:44 GMT
Defying the odds, seventeen-year-old Varis survived growing up orphaned in the slums of Amenkor known as the Dredge, the deadly White Fire that decimated much of the city’s population and incredibly, survived contact with the Skewed Throne to become the new Mistress. The mantle of leadership weighs heavy on the former thief and assassin in this second of the series as she struggles with issues of power and trust. Varis is the only Mistress to rule while the former Mistress, Eryn still lives and the city has suffered from Eryn’s madness brought about by the combined voices captured within the Skewed Throne. Blockading the harbor has prevented fishing and trade from augmenting a poor harvest, much of the city lies in ruin and unless something is done soon, the bloody vision shown both Mistress’s by the throne may come true.
Varis must quickly sort out whom to trust, how to protect herself from the forces that drove Eryn to the edge of madness and harness the voices of the thorn while figuring out how to stockpile and allocate the limited food reserves to assure the survival of her people. Using the White Fire, Varis learns of an ancient threat poised to take control of the city and the power of the Skewed Throne. There is little time to prepare even as a strong, trustworthy voice emerges from the throne to assist Varis as betrayals cut deep in this action packed blend of metaphysics, politics and day-to-day existence of those living at society’s fringes. The climax is an exciting, all or nothing no holds barred duel as both Mistress’s face down the most powerful adversary to face the city since the throne’s construction. This will leave readers hoping for the speedy release of “The Vacant Throne”.
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