In his Novels of the Change New York Times bestselling author SM Stirling presents a devastated mystical world that will appeal to fans of traditional fantasy as well as post-apocalyptic SF Continuing their quest that began in The Golden Princess two future rulers of a world without technology risk their lives seeking a fabled bladeReiko Empress of Japan has allied herself with Princess rlaith heir to the High Kingdom of Montival to find the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi the Grass-Cutting Sword a legendary treasure of an ancient dynasty that confers valor and victory to its bearer rlaith understands all too well the power it signifies Her own inherited blade the Sword of the Lady was both a burden and a danger to her father Rudi Mackenzie as it failed to save the king from being assassinatedBut the fabled sword lies deep with the Valley of Death and the search will be far from easy And war is building in Montival and far beyondAs rlaith and Reiko encounter danger and wonder rlaiths mother Queen Matildha believes her daughters alliance and quest has endangered the entire realm There are factions both within and without Montival whose loyalty died with the king and whispers of treachery and war grow ever louderAnd the Malevolence that underlies the enemy will bend all its forces to destroy themPublishers Weekly starred review.
