The Broken Chalice (Runes of War: The Book of Man, Book 8) Jane Welch 9780008614737

The second book in a new epic fantasy trilogy by British author Jane Welch

Silas has fled with the broken Chalice of OEnd, forcing the companions to flee into the surrounding forest, pursued and hunted by the remaining angry swarms of hobs. But their escape is slow as Isolde falls ill; the injured hand she plunged into the Chalice during the ceremony is infected and the disease is spreading rapidly, transforming her flesh into the scales of a hob. Sick with worry, Rollo decides to go after the chalice, hoping to reverse the spell, but Leaf insists on returning to aid her people convinced she can find a cure with them. Unable to agree, the company splits. Meanwhile Torra Alta is under siege, attacked by men imbued with dragon-fire powers. It seems the attack on Belbidia is not simply a civil war, but a mass invasion.

Jane Welch was born in Foremarke, a hamlet in the very centre of rural England, exactly where more than a thousand years ago the Viking Great Army camped for the winter. Their forces were led by three of Ragnar Lothbrok's sons, including Ivar the Boneless.

Jane spent her childhood either at Foremarke, or in the remote coastal wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. In her younger days, she spent five years in the Pyrenees teaching skiing with her husband, surrounded by the magic of those ancient mountains.

Sine then, Jane has written nine fantasy novels, which form the Runespell series. The novels carry the echo of these wild places so dear to her heart. Presently, Jane is excited to be working on a new series, originally inspired by a climb to a Mediterranean lighthouse and looking down at an ancient harbour below.

Jane lives in beautiful Devon on the south west coast of England with her family and their noble dog, Odin.

PRAISE FOR JANE WELCH

"A blockbuster fantasy"
SFX

"As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up."
Starburst

"Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould"
The Bookseller