Book Description
The Rune Blade The wanderer Red Kian has ruled Skai as Regent, but now it is time for him to step down. War clouds are gathering. Maedun sorcerers have taken the continent, and Saesnesi raiders are pillaging the islands. But Kian has three sons. One is a prince of Skai blood, one is a wizard touched by Tyadda fire, and one is a dreamer who longs to unite the Celi against their enemies. Which will inherit the rune blade known as Kingmaker? Which will have the power to confront the Black Riders who bring darkness like a cloak to cover the land? The answer will surprise you. Just as it surprises them.
About the Author
Ann Marston grew up back and forth across most of Canada, and now lives in Edmonton, Alberta. She has worked as a teacher, a flight instructor, an airline pilot and an airport manager and is deeply involved in her local Adult Literacy Project. She has two children, Laura who is a fourth generation pilot, and Daniel, who is a computer genius, and is currently owned by three cats, Pixel, Canrith Backspin, and Friend, who continually try to organize her but haven't quite succeeded. She writes fantasy because everyone knows pilots don't live in the real world anyway.
The Western King: The Second Book in the Rune Blade Trilogy FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Rune Blade
The wanderer Red Kian has ruled Skai as Regent, but now it is time for him to step down. War clouds are gathering. Maedun sorcerers have taken the continent, and Saesnesi raiders are pillaging the islands.
But Kian has three sons. One is a prince of Skai blood, one is a wizard touched by Tyadda fire, and one is a dreamer who longs to unite the Celi against their enemies. Which will inherit the rune blade known as Kingmaker? Which will have the power to confront the Black Riders who bring darkness like a cloak to cover the land?
The answer will surprise you. Just as it surprises them.
Author Biography: Ann Marston grew up back and forth across most of Canada, and now lives in Edmonton, Alberta. She has worked as a teacher, a flight instructor, an airline pilot and an airport manager and is deeply involved in her local Adult Literacy Project. She has two children, Laura who is a fourth generation pilot, and Daniel, who is a computer genius, and is currently owned by three cats, Pixel, Canrith Backspin, and Friend, who continually try to organize her but haven't quite succeeded. She writes fantasy because everyone knows pilots don't live in the real world anyway.
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA - Margaret Miles
Marston's Rune Blade trilogy follows three generations of the interconnected royal families of Celi and Tyra as they battle the evil blood magic of the Maedun sorcerers. In Kingmaker's Sword, a boy raised as a slave in the southern lands learns his true identity as Kian dav Leydon of Tyra. He also learns his destiny as a bearer of one of the legendary Ceale Rune Blades, a destiny that also leads to his bonding with a swordswoman of the principality of Skai on the island of Celi, and the founding of a dynasty. Kian's children continue the saga in The Western King, uniting Celi under one High King for the first time while the evil Maedun extend their influence on the continent. Brynda, daughter of Kian's eldest son and sword-sworn companion to the King of Celi's son, takes the central role in Broken Blade, when her generation faces the inevitable Maedun invasion. The Rune Blade trilogy represents a pleasing new entry in the fairly crowded field of recent Celtic-inspired fantasy. Unusual for a three-book sequence, the second novel is the strongest, presenting an especially strong character in Kian's tormented wizard-son Donaugh. While none of the individual elements in these novels are especially new or distinctive, the cast of kilted heroes, evil sorcerers, and feisty swordswomen, set in a matrix of pagan Scottish/Irish-style culture, is smoothly handled and involving without being terribly demanding. Still, there's a lot of popular appeal in Celi's very familiarity, and the many fans of Jennifer Roberson, Katherine Kurts, Patricia Kennealy-Morrison, and that ilk will find a great deal to like in this trilogy. These same fans will be pleased to discover that the series seems to be a "trilogy" only to agree with the conventions of fantasy publishing, since the conclusion of Broken Blade, with the Maedun in control of Celi and the remnants of the royal family fleeing, can only promise further adventures with Kian's descendants and their swords. Note: This review was written and published to address three titles: Broken Blade, Kingmaker's Sword and The Western King. VOYA Codes: 3Q 4P S (Readable without serious defects, Broad general YA appeal, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).
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