A young woman rises from the streets to battle a sinister evil in this
magical fantasy adventure by the bestselling author of the Darwath
series.
Something is amiss with the world's magic. Spells don't work the way
they used to--when they work at all. Only the powers of the Crystal
Mages remain as they were, powers founded on the use of the mystical
element adamis, the harvesting of which has enslaved the peoples of the
Twilight Lands.
They need a hero.
At the same time, ravenous beasts have begun to appear, legendary
creatures that seem to be proof against any magic. And Clea Stylachos,
granddaughter of a great sage of the Twilight people, has reason to fear
that the Crystal Mages, instead of seeking to defeat these insanely
destructive monsters, are attempting to weaponize them in their quest
for power.
Clea's only hope to save her people is a wizard who retains his power,
one who will not betray her, either to the great merchant houses or to
the all-entangling web of the Crystal Mages. But that wizard--Ithrazel
the Cursed, destroyer of a city and magically imprisoned to suffer
undying, unremitting torment--wants nothing to do with saving the world,
helping a hero, or unraveling the terrible secret at the heart of the
Crystal Mages' plans.
From the slums and tunnels of the slave-city of Morne, to the watery
wilderness of the Twilight lands, to the halls of her father's palace
and the spell-soaked mysteries of the Crystal Mages' House of Glass,
Clea works to untwist the deadly riddles of magic and monsters--to free
her mother's disenfranchised people from slavery under her father's
conquering forces. To save her mageborn brother from the Crystal Mages'
power; to control a sorcerer legendary for his deed of evil; to keep her
own small band of friends one step ahead of her father's troops and the
Crystal Order's spells.
She is the Iron Princess, and she knows she must prevail or die.
But at what cost to herself?
"Rich and complex, The Iron Princess is an absolute treat for fantasy
fans. With thrilling characters and lush, nuanced world-building, this
one will burn a hole through the nightstand and leave readers with wild
dreams of family secrets, dynastic intrigue, and unexpected heroes who
are so much more than they appear." --Cherie Priest, author of
Boneshaker
Praise for New York Times-bestseller Barbara Hambly
"A fabulously talented writer." --Charlaine Harris, bestselling author
"I think what is really special about [Hambly's] books . . . is a
richness of setting combined with a cast of characters that you'd love
to actually know." --SFSite
"Elegant, intelligent, and entertaining." --Publishers Weekly, starred
review on Dragonshadow
