Amazon.co.uk Review
All that said, Wurts has wooed many fans to her series with compelling characters, a tremendously complex (and painstakingly developed) web of plot lines, and distinctively lush and lyric storytelling. Grand Conspiracy represents part two of part three of a five-part epic--to her credit, Wurts broke the series' third story arc (Alliance of Light) into three parts only reluctantly. The action in this instalment surrounds Arithon's Ffalenn, the fugitive Master of Shadow and the victim of the title's grand conspiracy. Everyone's got it in for him these days, and even his beloved, Elaira, has been shanghaied by her Koriani cronies into playing a role in his betrayal--she must transform an innocent, Fionn Areth, into Arithon's double to draw him out. Grand Conspiracy delivers more of the same, perhaps lacking a bit of the action of previous instalments; check out Cures of the Mistwraith if you're new to the series. --Paul Hughes, Amazon.com
Review
Praise for the Wars of Light and Shadow:
‘Astonishingly original and compelling… A gifted creator of wonder’ Raymond E Feist
‘Janny Wurts builds beautiful castles in the air … where every detail is richly imagined and vividly rendered’ Diana Gabaldon
‘It ought to be illegal for one person to have so much talent’ Stephen Donaldson
Product Description
Where there is light, there must always be shadow… The fifth volume in Janny Wurts’s spectacular epic fantasy, now re-released with a striking new cover design along with the rest of the series.
The wars began when two half-brothers, gifted of light and shadow, stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Mistwraith. Their foe cast a lifelong curse of enmity between them that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues.
It is a time of political upheavel, fanaticism and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn – none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of his half-brother Lysaer, Lord of Light, Arithon’s very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason.
Those that still stand in Arithon’s desperate defence are downtrodden, in retreat and close to annihilation. The stage is set for the ultimate betrayal.
From the Back Cover
The wars began when two half brothers, gifted of light and shadow, stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Mistwraith. In defeat, their foe set its captors at odds, bestowing upon them a lifelong curse of enmity that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues …
It is a time of intrigue, fanaticism and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn – none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of Lysaer, Master of Light, Arithon’s very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason.
Those that still stand in Arithon’s desperate defence are downtrodden, in retreat and close to defeat. And the stage is set for ultimate betrayal …
“Janny Wurts writes with astonishing energy; she aims high. Just when you think she’s gone as far as anyone can go, she raises the stakes … It ought to be illegal for one person to have so much talent”
STEPHEN R. DONALDSON
“Janny Wurts builds beautiful castles in the air … where every detail is richly imagined and vividly rendered”
DIANA GABALDON
“With each new book it becomes more and more obvious how important Janny Wurts is to contemporary fantasy”
GUY GAVRIEL KAY
“Like the best of Tolkien and Frank Herbert, Janny Wurts’ worlds are bursting with the primal force, brimming with unforgettable characters, infused with magic both dark and glorious”
ERIC LUSTBADER
“Here is a magical tale that weaves a most wonderful song”
DENNIS L. McKIERNAN
“The Wars of Light and Shadow will be the hit of the 90s as Tolkien was the hit of the 60s”
MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY
About the Author
Janny Wurts is the author of the Cycle of Fire series, co-author of the worldwide bestselling Empire series with Raymond E. Feist, and is currently working on the Wars of Light and Shadow series. She often paints her own covers and is also an expert horsewoman, sailor, musician and archer.
