The Company Of Glass (Gollancz S.F.) (Paperback)

Product Description
THE COMPANY OF GLASS is the first volume in a three book series that tells the story of Tarquin the Free, a man with no clan, no king, and a past that he would rather deny. But when he learns that his homeland Everien is about to be overrun by his old enemies the Sekk, who command an army almost too large to comprehend, he has no choice but to intervene. He must alert the new King to the danger that awaits even if it means returning to the enchanted city of Jai-Khalar, seat of the weird ancient Knowledge that he renounced nine years ago. The Knowledge that meant he had to abandon his eight companions to die in the Floating Land of Jai-Pendu, that forced him to become an outcast from the land and the people he loved. The Knowledge of Jai-Khalar haunts not only Tarquin, but all the Sekk - an eerie race that appear to be extraordinarily beautiful human beings, but which possess people as demons do. And those the Sekk cannot enslave they murder. But Tarquin is not the only man with ambitions to defeat the Sekk - the daughter of his late best friend also wishes to rid her people of this omnipresent threat. One of them must succeed - but who will be prepared to take the greater risks, more willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of the magic of Knowledge.

Synopsis
THE COMPANY OF GLASS is the first volume in a three book series that tells the story of Tarquin the Free, a man with no clan, no king, and a past that he would rather deny. But when he learns that his homeland Everien is about to be overrun by his old enemies the Sekk, who command an army almost too large to comprehend, he has no choice but to intervene. He must alert the new King to the danger that awaits even if it means returning to the enchanted city of Jai-Khalar, seat of the weird ancient Knowledge that he renounced nine years ago. The Knowledge that meant he had to abandon his eight companions to die in the Floating Land of Jai-Pendu, that forced him to become an outcast from the land and the people he loved. The Knowledge of Jai-Khalar haunts not only Tarquin, but all the Sekk - an eerie race that appear to be extraordinarily beautiful human beings, but which possess people as demons do. And those the Sekk cannot enslave they murder. But Tarquin is not the only man with ambitions to defeat the Sekk - the daughter of his late best friend also wishes to rid her people of this omnipresent threat.

One of them must succeed - but who will be prepared to take the greater risks, more willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of the magic of Knowledge.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews   Company of Glass: Everien, Book One., 19 Sep 2003 By A Customer was hooked on this book from the moment I picked it up. It tells the complex story of a land in turmoil. A hero now an outcast, and his best friend and comrade in arms missing in action along with the rest of the company. Known by his new name of Tarquin the free, he returns from exile to warn the new King of impending attacks from a familiar enemy. The Sekk are an ancient race who can steal your soul and turn good men into heartless killers. Unknown to the King his forces have been captured by the Sekk and now the fabled lands of Everien are in danger from within. With poor forces, Tarquin must help save his homeland without being taken, and without suffering the same fate as the rest of his company. A magical, floating land, with shapeshifting castles and magical pieces of glass. Islands that float and seers who can see the past and future using glass. It draws you in and you soon get involved in the complicated political and fantastical world Leith creates. I look forward to reading the next in the trilogy.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?