Banner of the Damned

by Sherwood Smith

Overview

Standalone novel of Sherwood Smith's epic fantasy Sartorias-deles universe • follow-up to acclaimed military fantasy Inda series • courtly politics, vast worldbuilding, and diverse characters

"Smith should rank high on any list of military writers.... A first-rate author boldly at play." —SF Signal 

Emras is the most diligent of students, and she wants nothing more than to become royal scribe for the intelligent and beautiful Princess Lasva. And Emras gets her wish.
 
But life becomes complicated in ways she could never have foreseen. For though Emras adores the princess, she has been charged with a secret mission for the queen: to search her new home for signs of the evil magical influence of Norsunder—a kingdom once thought legendary, but now known to be real. Emras knows nothing of magic, but finds a knowledgeable and willing tutor in the barbaric land of Marloven Hesea.
 
Was the queen right? Is there a connection between Norsunder and Marloven Hesea? And if Emras was acting on orders from her queen, why is she now on trial?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101579930
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	04/03/2012
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	752
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Sherwood Smith started making books out of paper towels at age six. In between stories, she studied and traveled in Europe, got a Masters degree in history, and now lives in Southern California with her spouse, two kids, and two dogs. She’s worked in jobs ranging from counter work in a smoky harbor bar to the film industry. Writing books is what she loves best. She’s the author of the high fantasy History of Sartorias-deles series as well as the modern-day fantasy adventures of Kim Murray in Coronets and Steel. Learn more at www.sherwoodsmith.net.

Editorial Reviews

Framed as a royal scribe's apologia, Smith's newest (after Blood Spirits) is a magical tale of political intrigue and romantic entanglements. When her sister, the Colendi Queen Hatahra, finally produces an heir, Princess Lasva's royal aspirations are dashed, so she despairingly departs for the barbarous land of Marloven Hesea, where she weds Prince Ivandred. Fearing for her sister's safety in a primitive land renowned for its military and magical might, Queen Hatahra charges the royal scribe Emras to keep watch over the Princess, and ascertain whether she is being influenced by the dark magic of Norsunder, a kingdom once believed to reside only in myth, but now distressingly real. Emras must fulfill the wishes of the Queen in accordance with the three rules of the scribe: "Do not interfere," "Keep The Peace," and "Tell the truth as we see it." In Emras's struggle to parse good from evil magic, something went terribly wrong, and now she is being forced to defend herself. A dawdling beginning is rescued by the bold and engaging female characters, and Smith's world is wonderfully imagined. While the legal defense frame occasionally makes for dry reading (and frequent transgressions of the ubiquitous axiom "Show; don't tell"), Smith's epic is nevertheless vividly realized and entertaining. (Apr. 3)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Banner of the Damned:

"A damned good book.... A compelling protagonist with a vivid voice, a master's control of pacing and tension." —Tor.com

"Smith should rank high on any list of military writers.... The cavalry battles, hand-to-hand strategy sessions, the aftermaths of battles, these scenes in Banner of the Damned roll across the page with effortless mastery.... A first-rate author boldly at play." —SF Signal

"A magical tale of political intrigue and romantic entanglements...vividly realized and entertaining." —Publishers Weekly

"A frequently thrilling tale, full of adventure, romance, and magic, a charming mix of everyday details and epic overtones." —Locus

From the Publisher

"Tremendously enjoyable.... The characters are interesting, believable, and well-drawn, the politics — national and personal — compelling, and there’s plenty of action and excitement to go around."

Tor.com

"Sherwood Smith should rank high on any list of military writers.... The cavalry battles, hand-to-hand, strategy sessions, the aftermaths of battles, these scenes in Banner of the Damned roll across the page with effortless mastery... a first rate author boldly at play."

SFSignal

"A frequently thrilling tale, full of adventure, romance, and magic, a charming mix of everyday details and epic overtones."

Locus