Quicksilver Zenith (The Quicksilver Trilogy, Book 2) Stan Nicholls 9780007141524

From the author of the internationally accalaimed Orcs series comes a powerful new epic fantasy to rival the work of Raymond E. Feist and David Gemmell.

Cursed with immortality and episodes of uncontrollable, berserk fury, Reeth Caldason is desperate to find a cure for his magical affliction. His search has brought him to the island state of Bhealfa, ruled by a despot and trapped between two powerful rival empires. Here, after decades of carefully avoiding all personal attachments, he finds himself entangled with a Resistance movement intent on founding a utopia free from tyranny.

The paladin clans, a fearsome order of mercenary knights who provide government security, are determined to crush the growing rebellion. Devlor Bastorran, the cruel, and possibly mad, heir apparent to the clan leadership, is plotting a grotesque revenge against Caldason, having been bested by him in a humiliating and very public swordfight.

But Caldason has other problems to contend with. The rebels have decided on the location of their new state - a remote island. Before it can be occupied, a large quantity of gold must be delivered to its legal owner. Caldason is the natural choice to head this sensitive mission - but he soon discovers that a powerful new enemy covets both the gold and the island, threatening to destroy the whole fragile venture before it's even underway.

Stan Nicholls has been a full-time writer since 1981. He is the author of many novels and short stories but is best-known for the internationally acclaimed Orcs: First Blood series. His journalism has appeared in the Guardian, the Independent, the Daily Mirror, Time Out, Sight and Sound, Rolling Stone, SFX and Locus among many others. Stan has worked for a number of specialist and general bookshops and was the first manager of the London branch of Forbidden Planet. He lives in the West Midlands with his wife, Anne Gay.

Praise for Quicksilver Rising:

'Quicksilver Rising is brilliantly conceived and beautifully constructed. From the first gripping action scene it had me hooked. It has all the ingredients to become a classic of the genre' David Gemmell

'Nicholls tells a story into which the reader is dragged as willing victim. He has an eye for action and character, keeps the pace high, plot finely tuned and pages turning; and in Quicksilver Rising has delivered a hugely entertaining read.' James Barclay

'Stan Nicholls puts modern dialogue into the mouths of high fantasy characters and echoes of our politics into the kingdoms he creates. Easily as much fun as you'd expect.' Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Guardian

'Nicholls knows his stuff ... deft characterization ... full of action, magic, romance and politics' Starburst

Exhilarating, innovative fantasy writing ... delivered with tremendous panache' Publishing News

'A cracking blend of high fantasy adventure and thought-provoking political thriller - a real feast for intelligent imaginations.' Louise Cooper

'Fast-paced, high adventure ... a bare-knuckle fight with a magic punch.' Mark Chadbourn