From Publishers Weekly
Inspired by Native American and Celtic myths, Dietz spins a third engaging tale of his medieval world of Eron and its large cast of credible characters. Familiarity with the two previous novels in the series, Bloodwinter and Springwar, will help the reader appreciate the complex interweaving of king, clan, guild (or craft) and religion. Anyone who has had an unwanted promotion can identify with goldsmith Avall, who as victorious war leader finds himself on the Eron throne. And he doesn't sit easily. Coupled with his own doubts and fears of incompetence are the challenges facing Eron in its recovery from the devastating war against the Ixti, as what follows war in any medieval society is an equally devastating plague. Add to this the distrust of other clans and the machinations of former friends and advisers, who may be working toward their own ends. But most contentious of all is the "bloodstone," a symbiotic, transdimensional gem that men both treasure and fear. It gives its owner unimaginable power and like all such talismans it can corrupt and must be used with knowledge and caution. With the war and the plague behind him, Avall may be faced with his greatest challenge yet, the threat of civil war from the fanatical band of priests known as the Ninth Gate. They have announced their dislike of the gem's power and may be out to use it for themselves. Dietz once again shows himself to be a master of psychological, sociological and political fantasy. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Determined not to abuse the inherent power of the magical gems that helped him win the war against the Ixti and ascend to the throne of Eron, Avall finds himself threatened by a renegade faction of priests intent on claiming power for themselves. Continuing his epic tale of rival clans in a land decimated by plague, Dietz (Bloodwinter, Springwar) weaves an intricate tale of war and sorcery that features believable characters and a fresh look at how magic works. A good addition to most fantasy collections. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Deitz's well-told tale continues the saga, begun in Bloodwinter (1999) and Springwar [BKL Jl 00], of a war between the kingdoms of Eron and Ixti that occurs simultaneously with internecine conflicts in both realms. The focus here is on Eron, of which Master Goldsmith Avall is now king. He is attempting to master the gems of power found in the mines of the north just before the war with Ixti. He intends to use the gems' power for rebuilding. His enemies have other ideas. Nastiest of those enemies is a clan of renegade priests who want, with the gems, to rule in the name of their equally nasty, unbending god. Although he suffers from writing the same basic story over again, Dietz manages, thanks to a well-developed setting and strong characters facing compelling internal and external dilemmas, to keep things intriguing enough to hold the readers the saga already has and win some more. Which means that most fantasy collections should consider adding anything Dietz does--there aren't enough fantasy writers like him. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
Don't miss any of the exciting novels in this breathtaking series of magic, adventure, and darkest intrigue:

Bloodwinter
Springwar
Summerblood


From the Trade Paperback edition.


Review
Don't miss any of the exciting novels in this breathtaking series of magic, adventure, and darkest intrigue:

Bloodwinter
Springwar
Summerblood


From the Trade Paperback edition.


Book Description
In this stirring sequel to the epic dramas Bloodwinter and Springwar, a new king must strive to heal a war-torn land, master a dangerous and world-altering magic, and defeat a secret and fanatical religious sect that will stop at nothing to gain total power.

Peace has come to the realm of Eron, and with it a new High King: young, inexperienced Avall, victor in the war against Ixti, sole possessor of the magical gems taken from the mines of the frozen north. But as Eron attempts to heal from the bloody conflict and a devastating plague, unrest once again grips this troubled land, stirred up by a secret cabal of powerful priests who call themselves the Ninth Face.

Avall struggles to quell the unrest and to understand and control the boundless magic of the mysterious gems. At the same time, his twin sister, Merryn, must make her own arduous journey a step ahead of those who would gladly claim her life. But it is the fanatical leaders of the Ninth Face who pose the greatest danger. They have put in motion a deadly plan to drive Avall from the throne, destroy the power of the noble clans, and take possession of the gems themselves–all in the name of their unbending god. For Eron the choice is stark indeed: an imperfect and inexperienced king...or the tyranny of the righteous.





From the Inside Flap
In this stirring sequel to the epic dramas Bloodwinter and Springwar, a new king must strive to heal a war-torn land, master a dangerous and world-altering magic, and defeat a secret and fanatical religious sect that will stop at nothing to gain total power.

Peace has come to the realm of Eron, and with it a new High King: young, inexperienced Avall, victor in the war against Ixti, sole possessor of the magical gems taken from the mines of the frozen north. But as Eron attempts to heal from the bloody conflict and a devastating plague, unrest once again grips this troubled land, stirred up by a secret cabal of powerful priests who call themselves the Ninth Face.

Avall struggles to quell the unrest and to understand and control the boundless magic of the mysterious gems. At the same time, his twin sister, Merryn, must make her own arduous journey a step ahead of those who would gladly claim her life. But it is the fanatical leaders of the Ninth Face who pose the greatest danger. They have put in motion a deadly plan to drive Avall from the throne, destroy the power of the noble clans, and take possession of the gems themselves–all in the name of their unbending god. For Eron the choice is stark indeed: an imperfect and inexperienced king...or the tyranny of the righteous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Peace has come to the realm of Eron, and with it a new High King: young, inexperienced Avall, victor in the war against Ixtl, sole possessor of the magical gems taken from the mines of the frozen north. But as Eron attempts to heal from the bloody conflict, unrest once again grips this troubled land, stirred up by a secret cabal of powerful priests who call themselves the Ninth Face." "Avall struggles to quell the unrest and to control the boundless magic of the mysterious gems. At the same time, Avall's twin sister, Merryn, must make her own arduous journey a step ahead of those who would gladly claim her life. But it is the fanatical leaders of the Ninth Face who pose the greatest danger. They have put in motion a deadly plan to drive Avall from the throne, destroy the power of the noble clans, and take possession of the gems themselves - all in the name of their unbending god. For Eron the choice is stark indeed: an imperfect and inexperienced king...or the tyranny of the righteous."--BOOK JACKET.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Inspired by Native American and Celtic myths, Dietz spins a third engaging tale of his medieval world of Eron and its large cast of credible characters. Familiarity with the two previous novels in the series, Bloodwinter and Springwar, will help the reader appreciate the complex interweaving of king, clan, guild (or craft) and religion. Anyone who has had an unwanted promotion can identify with goldsmith Avall, who as victorious war leader finds himself on the Eron throne. And he doesn't sit easily. Coupled with his own doubts and fears of incompetence are the challenges facing Eron in its recovery from the devastating war against the Ixti, as what follows war in any medieval society is an equally devastating plague. Add to this the distrust of other clans and the machinations of former friends and advisers, who may be working toward their own ends. But most contentious of all is the "bloodstone," a symbiotic, transdimensional gem that men both treasure and fear. It gives its owner unimaginable power and like all such talismans it can corrupt and must be used with knowledge and caution. With the war and the plague behind him, Avall may be faced with his greatest challenge yet, the threat of civil war from the fanatical band of priests known as the Ninth Gate. They have announced their dislike of the gem's power and may be out to use it for themselves. Dietz once again shows himself to be a master of psychological, sociological and political fantasy. (Apr. 10) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

Book three in Deitz's Eron series, this installment follows Bloodwinter (Bantam, 1999) and Springwar (Bantam, 2000/VOYA December 2000). The fantasy series takes place in the medieval land of Eron and combines a well-developed social system, consisting of priests, clan, guild, and royalty, with mystic religion and ritual. The events follow a war and a deadly plague. Most attention goes to Eron's new High King Avall—a master goldsmith who plans on using the power of a magical gemstone for rebuilding the country. But the Ninth Gate, a dastardly group of power-hungry priests, appears to want the gem for itself and will do anything to get it. Intrigue and adventure transpire with a dash of nonexplicit sex thrown in for good measure. Deitz regularly receives praise for his interesting and intricate fantasy adventure series and this novel is no exception—provided all three books in the series are available to patrons. Although the second book supplied a synopsis of the first, there unfortunately is none in Summerblood. A reader unfamiliar with the first two books will flounder initially with the numerous characters who have complicated names and equally intricate relationships. Nevertheless once one catches on, the book is marvelous, with enough magic, myth, and action to please Deitz fans. The wonderful cover art will attract the rest. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Bantam, 323p, $13.95 Trade pb. Ages 15 to Adult. Reviewer: Bette Ammon

Library Journal

Determined not to abuse the inherent power of the magical gems that helped him win the war against the Ixti and ascend to the throne of Eron, Avall finds himself threatened by a renegade faction of priests intent on claiming power for themselves. Continuing his epic tale of rival clans in a land decimated by plague, Dietz (Bloodwinter, Springwar) weaves an intricate tale of war and sorcery that features believable characters and a fresh look at how magic works. A good addition to most fantasy collections. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Third installment of Deitz's saga about the kingdom of Eron (Springwar, 2000, etc.). Avall has won the struggle against his rivals and is now High King of Eron, plus master of the magical gems that feed on blood and confer astonishing powers. This time, young Avall must contend with the secretive but deadly fanatics of the priesthood of the Ninth Face, who have their own cogent reasons for wanting to depose Avall and claim his gemstones. Meanwhile, warrior Merryn, Avall's twin sister, has her own problems. Plots, dastardly deeds, cliffhangers, treachery: Business as usual in vampire-gemstone-land.