Hogan, Mitchell

"In the epic conclusion to the series that began with the award-winning A CRUCIBLE OF SOULS, Mitchell Hogan combines the wonder of classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy with the grit of the modern masters to create something at once familiar and unique for readers of all ages"--.

Anasoma, jewel of the Mahruse Empire, has fallen. As orphaned, monk-raised Caldan and his companions flee the city, leaving behind their hopes for a new beginning, horrors from the time of the Shattering begin to close in. With Miranda's mind broken by forbidden sorcery, Caldan does the unthinkable to save her: he breaks the most sacrosanct laws of the Protectors. But when the emperor's warlocks arrive to capture him, Caldan realizes that his burgeoning powers may be more of a curse than a blessing, and the enemies assailing the empire may be rivaled by more sinister forces within. And soon, the blood of innocents may be on Caldan's own hands.

Young Caldan's parents have been murdered so the boy is raised by monks. Grwoing up, Caldan is plagued by questions about his parents and his past. When he ventures outside the monastery, he finds the world is a darker place than he imagined. As he continues to hone his sorcery skills, he finds he does not fully understand his power nor how a shadowy evil manipulates the unwary. Soon the world will be plunged into an age-old conflict that will bring the world to the edge of destruction and then Caldan must choose a side.