The Ships of Merior
And it came to pass as foretold by prophecy, the art of power over light and dark was channeled through two princes: and the fogs that had smothered Athera's skies were dispersed. But in defeat, the Mistwraith set its two royal captors at odds under a powerful curse of vengeance. Locked now in deadly enmity, the princes hold the fates of nations and the balance of the world's mystical powers entangled in the throes of their feud.
Lysaer – Lord of Light – handsome, princely, charismatic, his heartfelt commitment to justice and fair rule has been turned toward destroying the Master of Shadow, an obsession that drives him to win allies and raise armies to shed blood for the cause of lasting peace.
Arithon – Master of Shadow – bastard son of a pirate king and Lysaer's errant mother, trained by mages and gifted with a musical talent unequaled in ten centuries, must choose to use dark arts and cleverness against his half brother in self-defense and attack, or let innocents die in the breach.
After a ruinous battle, recounted in Curse of the Mistwraith, Arithon, forced out of hiding, finds himself hounded by Lysaer and his mighty army. He must take to his natural element, the seas, to evade pursuit and steal the initiative. Maligning his efforts to stay free of entrapment are outside magical factions embroiled in his fate, and a drunken prophet sent to safeguard his life, but determined to wreck his cause by misadventure.
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Janny Wurts
Janny Wurts is a master of weaving intricate worlds, where the lines between light and shadow blur and complex characters navigate their destinies in landscapes of political intrigue and personal conflict. Known for her deeply immersive storytelling, Wurts transports readers to realms where magic, power, and betrayal collide, and where each decision carries consequences that echo through time.
Born and raised in the United States, Wurts's early passion for both visual art and literature would eventually inform her distinctive narrative style. With a background in fine art and a flair for illustration, she brings a visual richness to her prose that draws readers into the vivid tapestries of her fictional worlds. Her artwork is often as integral to the experience as her storytelling, adding depth and texture to her exploration of fantastical themes.
The Wars of Light and Shadow
The Wars of Light and Shadow consists of eleven books — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
