Michelle’s Note: This is a series that was a proposed duology. You’ll note it’s six books. I’m not very good at figuring out how long it will take to tell a story.
THE BROKEN CROWN
by Michelle West
Back Cover: Tor Leonne — the heart of the Dominion of Annagar, where the games of state are about to become a matter of life or death – and where those who would seek to seize the crown will be forced to league with a treacherously cunning ally… Tor Leonne, ancestral seat of power, where Serra Diora di’Marano – the most sought-after beauty in the land, a woman betrayed by all she holds dear – may strike the first blow to change the future of Dominion and Empire alike…
Averalaan Aramarelas — that most ancient of civilized cities, the home of the Essalieyan Imperial Court, has long been a centre of magics both dark and bright. And though the Empire won it’s last war with the Dominion, and survived a devastating, magic-fueled battle with a far deadlier foe, both those victories were not without their cost.… But now the realm is on the brink of a far greater confrontation, faced with an unholy alliance that could spell the end of freedom for all mortalkind.…
Mass Market Paperback: DAW Books, July 1997, 0 – 88677-740 – 2, 764 pages. Cover artist: Jody Lee
Read the first chapter: Broken Crown.pdf or html.
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THE UNCROWNED KING
by Michelle West
Back Cover: The Kings’ Challenge
It was a proving ground for warriors in the Essalieyan Empire, the hallowed contest that made legends of men. And for Valedan, last survivor of the ruling family of the Dominion, it was a declaration of his right to claim the throne stolen from the Leonne clan by treachery and assassination.
Failure to earn the title of Kings’ Champion would not deprive Valedan of either his Dominion or Essalieyan allies, but winning would announce to the world that he was no callow boy, no mere pawn in the games of power. And the games of power were indeed being played – not only in Empire and Dominion but in the far more dangerous realm of the Lord of Night.
As the time of the Challenge neared, Valedan and all those who guarded him would be hard-pressed to survive long enough for him to enter the competition. For the demon kin had been set to hunt him down and destroy him. They had failed before, though many innocents had paid the price. They must not fail again, for slaying Valedan was but the opening gambit in a war that would free the Lord of Night to reign over all the mortal world.…
Mass Market Paperback: DAW Books, September 1998, 0 – 88677-801 – 8, 687 pages. Cover artist: Jody Lee
Read the first chapter: Uncrowned King.pdf or html.
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THE SHINING COURT
by Michelle West
Back Cover: In the Dominion – those allied with the demons of the Shining Court feared the bargain they’d made. For to the kialli betrayal was a way of life, and every action was a means to gain greater power. And as the Festival of the Moon approached, the demon kin began to prey upon those in the Tor Leonne. But more frightening than their presence was their “gift” for the Festival, masks created not by human craftsmen but by the kialli. Even the magic and knowledge of the greatest of the Dominion’s Widan had been unable to discern what trap the masks contained – and time to discover and avert this menace was running out.…
In the Empire – the armies were mobilizing for war. But before they carried the battle to the Dominion, Seer Jewel ATerafin would be forced to follow her own destiny. For what she’d seen in vision she could not deny. And so Jewel, with only Avandar to guard her back, would abandon House Terafin on the eve of its greatest peril and journey into the darkness which was fast overshadowing the mortal lands.…
And among the Voyani – the moment had come to make their final stand against Allasakar, Lord of the Hells, for they alone had kept to the old ways, guarding the ancient knowledge. But hounded by their enemies, and with one of their greatest treasures hidden in the Tor Leonne, could they withstand the power of the Shining Court?
Mass Market Paperback: DAW Books, August 1999, 0 – 88677-837 – 9, 737 Pages. Cover artist: Jody Lee
Read the first chapter: Shining Court.pdf or html.
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SEA OF SORROWS
by Michelle West
Back Cover: The call to arms!
In the Essalieyan Empire, the armies are gathering, ready to champion the cause of Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion. But Valedan himself must take a different road to war, sealing what Dominion alliances he can claim without the Empire’s backing.
Yet even before Valedan sets forth, Jewel of House Terafin has already journeyed beyond mortal realms with only her domicis Avandar to guard her back, walking through flame to join the Voyani on a trek they’ve been destined to make for centuries. Behind her she has left a House on the brink of bloody dynastic war – and her den caught in deadly political infighting.
Kiriel, too, must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s and her mortal heritage.
And as the Voyani – with Jewel, Avandar, Kallandras, Diora, Teresa, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court – embark upon the Sea of Sorrows in a desperate attempt to reach the lost Cities of Man, a spell gone awry insures that all their enemies – whether of mortal or demonkind – can trace the path they are following and strike out at them at any moment.…
Mass Market Paperback: DAW books, May 2001, 0 – 88677-978 – 2, 830 pages. Cover artist: Paul Youll
Read the first chapter: Sea of Sorrows.pdf or html.
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THE RIVEN SHIELD
by Michelle West
Back Cover: The Dance of War.…
Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyanese Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost.…
Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlod, Avandar, and the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by demonic Kialli, they will be hard pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops.…
In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of bloody dynastic war – and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of The Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives.…
Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage.…
The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction which will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world.…
Mass Market Paperback: DAW books, July 2003, 0 – 7564-0146 – 1, 827 pages. Cover artist: Jody Lee
Read the first chapter: Riven Shield.pdf or html.
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THE SUN SWORD
by Michelle West
Back Cover: The Sword must be drawn.…
The armies of Alesso di’Marente and Valedan kai di’Leonne are massing in the Terrean of Averda for the battle that will at last determine the rule of the Dominion. The Sun Sword is about to be delivered by Serra Diora to its “rightful” holder, Valedan, last surviving heir of the clan Leonne. But whether Valedan will be able to wield the sword, or — like the form kai el’Sol — will be consumed by its magic, remains to be seen.
The demon kin are gathering as well, and a dread spell is being worked which will — should it successfully reach completion — finally open the way for the Lord of Night to once again enter the mortal realm.
And though many of the truly powerful have gathered upon the field, the entire course of the future may rest in the hands, heart and soul of one being, Kiriel di’Ashaf, daughter of the Lord of Night.…
Mass Market Paperback: DAW books, Jan 2004, 07564 – 0170‑4, 957 pages. Cover artist: Jody Lee
Read the first chapter: Sun Sword.pdf or html
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