"Dar, the destroyer goddess, chose Sileria as Her home... and no one loves destruction the way a Silerian does."

For a thousand years in the mountainous island nation of Sileria, fire sorcery and water magic have been at odds. Forever enemies, forever apart. Now, as the conquering Valdani empire withdraws in humiliated defeat from Sileria's blood-drenched shores, the nation is plunged into civil war, prophecy is shattered by betrayal, drought and earthquakes torment the land, and a volcano goddess vents Her wrath.

While Tansen, the returned exile who hides a shameful secret, pursues all-out war against the ruthless Honored Society, a sea-born boy struggles with an unwanted fate that could change history, a treacherous waterlord does what no one in Sileria has ever imagined, and Mirabar, a fire sorceress cursed with the gift of prophecy, risks everything to serve Sileria, destiny, and the destroyer goddess.

* Year's Best list, Publisher's Weekly

* Year's Best list, Voya

"Fast-paced, witty and full of action, the book is a marvel of storytelling, but it's the credible, complex relationships among the characters that elevates this far above the usual fantasy standard... Resnick fans have cause to rejoice."

—[starred review] Publishers Weekly

"The rivalries and feuds continue fast and furious, not to say bloody, and Tansen nearly loses his life. But a mysterious boy from the ranks of the waterlords saves Tansen to continue his struggle to a breathless and satisfactory conclusion. The tale will certainly keep its series audience industriously turning pages and make them hope Resnick has more in store for them."

—Booklist

"Free will wars with vague prophecy and divine intervention in this epic romantic fantasy, which will stay with readers long after the satisfying conclusion... [Resnick's] mythology and world-building are flawless, the characters are convincing and complex, and Sileria is intoxicatingly believable."

—Romantic Times

About the Author

Laura Resnick is the author of the popular Esther Diamond urban fantasy series She has also written traditional fantasy novels such as In Legend Born, The Destroyer Goddess, and The White Dragon, which made the "Year's Best" list of Publishers Weekly. An opinion columnist, frequent public speaker, and the Campbell Award-winning author of many sf/f short stories, she is on the Web at LauraResnick.com.