The saints of the sword - John Marco

The new Emperor of Nar, Biagio wants peace. But no one will believe him and now he faces revolt from his generals. He has one last plan for survival. It is a plan that will bring together a young prince with secret magical powers and a tried and tested warrior. Together these two men could save the realm, or bring the world crashing around Biagio's shoulders. Fate has not finished with the Jackal of Nar.John Marco has created a richly imagined world full of characters with believable flaws and motivations fighting a war full of darkness shot through with the light of dangerous magic. In its plotting it compares to the best of Robert Jordan, in its depictions of characters caught up in epic conflict it bears comparison with the best of Harry Turtledove.