A Charm for Draius: A Novel of the Broken Kaskea

by Laura E Reeve

Overview

"A child's life hangs in balance... in this we are certain."

In the age of science and gunpowder, what place could magic hold? When a high-profile murder is dumped in her lap, Draius isn't worried about magic. City Guard politics are brutal and the captain makes it clear her job is on the line; there are plenty of rivals waiting for her to fail, including her estranged husband.

More killings follow. Draius endures threats and attacks as she uncovers a treasonous conspiracy, one that hopes to revive necromantic magic. But when they graduate to murder by magic and her own son is threatened, she has to get magical help. She must step into the minds of the Phrenii, the five elementals who protect Tyrra's children and departed souls, risking her sanity to fight magic with magic.

Even the Phrenii cannot foresee the coming catastrophe.

"Reeve (Pathfinder, 2010, etc.) begins a new fantasy series in which the defenders of magic must flush out a sect of necromancers... A lavish blend of urban crime and high fantasy." -- Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780989135832
Publisher:	Cajun Coyote Media
Publication date:	10/27/2015
Series:	Broken Kaskea , #1
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Laura E. Reeve began writing science fiction and fantasy in the fifth grade, leading to a lifelong obsession for building worlds. Along the way, she spent nine years as a US Air Force officer, holding operational command positions and having the opportunity to escort Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty inspectors. Her civilian jobs have ranged from Research Chemist to Software Development Lead. She currently lives in Monument, CO with her husband and a Shiba Inu who runs the household. Visit Laura's author web site at ancestralstars.com or her art stock web store at ccm.ancestralstars.com.

Editorial Reviews

2016-03-04
Reeve (Pathfinder, 2010, etc.) begins a new fantasy series in which the defenders of magic must flush out a sect of necromancers. In the kingdom of Tyrra, Draius is a member of the City Guard. She and her career-obsessed husband, Jan, have a 7-year-old son named Peri. Like all marriages in Tyrra, theirs was arranged by careful matriarchal planning and exists within the confines of a contract. Also unique to Tyrran culture are the Phrenii, translucent elementals that resemble unicorns and roam the streets of Betarr Serasa. One night, in the Sea Serpent tavern, a member of the King's Council named Meran-Nelja Reggis is found nailed to the floor of an upstairs room and eviscerated. Missing organs and fingers, as well as symbols painted in blood, point to the illegal teachings of Nherissa—or necromancy. The crime scene is spoiled when Cmdr. Erik is too drunk to contain the tavern's crowds. Draius takes the case, aided by the handsome but inexperienced Lt. Lornis. Complicating matters are the shards of a magical artifact called the Kaskea, which create a bond with the Phrenii and which only the King may wield. Despite Tyrra's reliance on science and procedure, anyone abusing pieces of the Kaskea has the power upend their society. Reeve seamlessly combines disparate motifs to create an evocative new urban fantasy realm. Fascinating is the idea that Tyrra considers the word "unicorn" vulgar, and only children may touch the ethereal Phrenii without suffering ill effects (like shame and guilt). Tyrra is a place with a living history, the details of which (including a recent plague that affected birthrates) only enrich the story. Several first-person chapters from the killer's perspective add tension as Reeve leads readers toward an otherworldly finale. A lavish blend of urban crime and high fantasy.

Kirkus Reviews