The Curse of the Mistwraith (The Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 1) Janny Wurts 9780586210697

The stunning first volume in Janny Wurts's epic tale of two half-brothers cursed to life-long enmity, now re-released with a striking new cover.

Let each who reads determine the good and the evil for himself
Athera is besieged by the Mistwraith, which blights the land and dims the mysteries guarded by the last fugitives of the old bloodlines.
But from a prophecy springs hope: the gifts of two brothers - one dark, one fair, raised on opposite sides of a relentless war - when paired may challenge the Mistwraith's invasion, though at brutal cost...
Arithon, Master of Shadow, musician and mage, commands the power of illusion and darkness. Taken prisoner in battle, his fate falls to his half-brother, Prince Lysaer - a man endowed with the gift of light through the mother they share. Lysaer is the legitimate son of a king who was betrayed by his queen's choice to father Arithon by his mortal enemy but that does not save him:
Vengeful fury drives the king to banish both Lysaer and Arithon from the world they know to the troubled realms of Athera beyond the Worldsend Gate.
The two exiles are thrown together by hatred and spilled blood - then bound by destiny to champion Athera's sundered heritage. The highest stakes ride the backlash of their conflict - they must reforge their adverse ideals into balance, or destroy the etheric grace of a culture all but lost to antiquity.
A subtle and intricate tale of morality and difference, justice versus compassion, told with epic scope and real magic, Curse of the Mistwraith remains a modern classic of the fantasy genre.

Janny Wurts is the author of the Cycle of Fire series, co-author of the worldwide bestselling Empire series with Raymond E. Feist, and is currently working on the Wars of Light and Shadow series. She often paints her own covers and is also an expert horsewoman, sailor, musician and archer.

'Janny Wurts writes with astonishing energy; she aims high. Just when you think she's gone as far as anyone can go, she raises the stakes... It ought to be illegal for one person to have so much talent'
STEPHEN DONALDSON
Give it a go. This is a very rich, detailed, immersive ... there's a hell of a ride ahead!
MARK LAWRENCE
'Janny Wurts builds beautiful castles in the air... where every detail is richly imagined and vividly rendered'
DIANA GABALDON
'With each new book it becomes more and more obvious how important Janny Wurts is to contemporary fantasy'
GUY GAVRIEL KAY
'Astonishingly original and compelling'
RAYMOND E FEIST