The Warrior Returns

by Allan Cole Narrated by Kris Faulkner

Overview

For those who thrill to the adventure and wonder of The Anteros, here is the book where all the secrets from Kingdoms of the Night are finally,   dazzlingly, revealed. For new initiates, this tale stands alone, entry to a world of intrigue, high drama, derring-do . . . and, most of all, magic!

All of Orissa believed that Rali Emilie Antero, legendary warrior and sorceress extraordinaire, was dead, lost at sea during some grand adventure gone wrong. In fact, Rali was not dead, but left entombed in ice to dream for eternity-until a goddess needed her for one last quest. Novari, a beautiful succubus intent on achieving ultimate power, had swept the world by storm. All the Anteros had been assassinated-save one: a golden, magical child named Emilie. Novari had succeeded in taking Orissa. Now she had only to sieze little Emilie, as well. She never counted on the return of Rali Antero.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Solo writing proves no problem for Cole, who, in this wrap-up to the fantasy Anteros series (Kingdoms of the Night, etc.), loses longtime coauthor Chris Bunch but turns in a rousing yarn nonetheless. Narrator Rali Emilie Antero, the warrior of the title, sorceress and reluctant tool of the goddess Maranonia, falls into the hands of Novari, the Lyre Bird, a changeling whose "primary form" is a beautiful woman and who was created through the sacrifice of thousands of virgins to be a prince's sexual slave. Escaped and become a powerful sorceress, Novari has set out to avenge herself against the world. When Rali rejects Novari's offer to become her consort, the warrior is imprisoned in the mines of Koronos, minus an eye and hand and most of her memory. With the aid of a fellow prisoner, Zalia, Rali regains her powers and apparently destroys Novari and her source of power. But during the struggle, Zalia, who is revealed as the queen Salimar and who becomes Rali's lover, is gravely injured. Maranonia offers Rali and Salimar surcease in an endless sleep of beautiful dreams. Fifty years later, however, Maranonia awakens Rali to fight the Lyre Bird resurgent, who now poses a threat even greater than before. Cole's vivid, densely crafted world, peopled with well-drawn inhabitants of all classes, rings true. Fans of this series may be sad to see it end, but they'll be happy that it does so in mighty high style. (Apr.) Notes

Kirkus Reviews

The fourth and last book in the Far Kingdoms series—former co-author Chris Bunch having taken his business elsewhere—is a sequel to The Warrior's Tale (1994) and features the same protagonist and narrator—the warrior and sorceress Rali Emilie Antero. Rali emerges from a 50-year entombment in ice to enjoy further adventures and a final showdown with her old foe, the irresistible succubus Novari, who has seized the city Orissa and exterminated all the other Anteros, save the mystical child Emilie.

Stands alone, more or less, but series fans are the intended, and most likely, recipients.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169812503
Publisher:	Books in Motion
Publication date:	12/15/2010
Series:	The Far Kingdoms , #4
Edition description:	Unabridged

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