Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Gathering of the Lost-Helen Lowe

The Gathering of the Lost


Helen Lowe

Harper Voyager, Mar 27 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780061734052



Five years ago, the unthinkable occurred when the elite Darksworn of the Darkswarm beached the impenetrable Wall of Night mountain range and assaulted the garrisons of the Nine Houses of the Derai. The attack forced the Heir of Night Malian and her best friend Kalan to flee separately into Jaransor. They have been missing since. Before fleeing, Malian pledged to Rowan to save Haarth and plans to act on her vow.



Whereas the Darkswarm’s initial battles were with the Derai, violence has penetrated deep into Haarth's southern realms. In Ij, assassins attack a House of Heralds. South of the River at Normarch in Emer, dark magic gathers. However, even with all these troubles, most people in the central and south of Haarth refuse to accept the existence of the Darkswarm especially crossing the great Wall of Night. Instead everyone seems to look forward to the pleasures of the festivities of the Midsummer tournament at Caer Argent where the elite Darksworn have plans.



The second Wall of Night fantasy is a superb tale as political treachery and denial become key elements in which the people of Haarth may wake up too late to battle the threat. Readers follow the adventures of Malian and Kalan as both face hopeless causes. Aptly titled The Gathering of the Lost, this is a twisting taut thriller with a great stunning late spin as friends as the heir of Night learns to suspect everyone as allies may be treacherous enemies.



Harriet Klausner

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