West of the Grand Duchy of Anuskaya lies the Empire of Yrstanla, the Motherland. The Empire has lived at peace with Anuskaya for generations, but with political turmoil brewing and the wasting disease still rampant, opportunists from the mainland have begun to set their sights on the Grand Duchy, seeking to expand their empire.
Five years have passed since Prince Nikandr, heir to the scepter of Khalakovo, was tasked with finding Nasim, the child prodigy behind a deadly summoning that led to a grand clash between the armies of man and elder elemental spirits. Today, that boy has grown into a young man driven to understand his past and the darkness from which Nikandr awakened him. Nikandr’s lover, Atiana, has become a Matra, casting her spirit forth to explore, influence, and protect the Grand Duchy. But when the Al-Aqim, long thought lost to the past, return to the islands and threaten to bring about indaraqiram a change that means certain destruction for both the Landed and the Landless bitter enemies must become allies and stand against their horrific plans.
From Bradley P. Beaulieu, author of the critically acclaimed debut novel The Winds of Khalakovo, comes Book Two of The Lays of Anuskaya, The Straits of Galahesh.
©2012 Bradley P. Beaulieu (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan for 50 something years. Love it all from Asimov to Tolkein. Always looking for new and interesting authors.
"Second book does not let you down"
I would consider that this version to be every bit as good as the print version. This is the first series I have listened to Mr Chase and he has done as well as more well known narrators.
The attack by Atiana on the other Matres was very intense and I enjoyed it quite well. Difficult to say if there were other parts of the book that weren't memorable but that one stands out as she is battling with those who have been her mentors and relatives.
Nikandr
The entire book was very well done so there isn't a particular "moving" part but there are some very touching moments the author describes and he has done well with these.
Though this is the first series I have read by Mr Beaulieu I am impressed with his abilities and will consider reading more of his work as well as the last installment of the trilogy. That is the greatest testament I can give to an author. Though I have read many, many books in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, I can honestly say that if I read all the books of a series then it must be a pretty good series. Witness the fact I could not care if I read another book by some authors with incomplete series, Song of Ice and Fire being one.