Windsinger (The Darkhaven Novels, Book 3) A. F. E. Smith 9780008181468

The third instalment in The Darkhaven series.

Ayla Nightshade prepares to meet with the Kardise ambassador to sign a treaty between Mirrorvale and Sol Kardis. However, negotiations are halted as the ambassador is discovered dead in his chambers, poisoned by the same bottle of taransey he and Ayla had shared the night before.

Ayla has been framed for murder and the peace between two kingdoms is at stake. Tomas Caraway and his Helmsmen must rush to prove her innocence before war destroys all they have fought for.

Along the way they discover the plans for a Parovian airship, the Windsinger, which reveal a chamber designed for a special cargo: a living one.

Together Ayla and Tomas set out to uncover their real enemies - a search that will lead them closer to home than they ever anticipated.

A.F.E. Smith is an editor of academic texts by day and a fantasy writer by night. She lives with her husband and their two young children in a house that was apparently built to be as creaky as possible. She can be found on Twitter @afesmith

Praise for DARKHAVEN:

'DARKHAVEN hooked me quickly with its assured prose, nonstandard secondary world, and willingness to explore shapeshifting from another angle ... The prose remains elegant and assured throughout, and the story's charms are enough to keep the reader engaged and interested' In the Forest of Stories

'I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and I was looking forward to finding out more about the shifter's abilities and whether or not there were more shifters to be discovered. Overall, I loved the writing style ... whilst the blend of characters complemented each other well and helped the story to flow at a good pace' Book Chick City

'The reader cannot help but be drawn in by such an amazing world in which the characters wander. The city runs on symbolism and ritual. Each person has a place, and each place has a meaning. The backdrop is beautiful, the characters are engaging, and although you might see the third act twist coming, Smith still provides plenty of surprises and intrigue to leave me eagerly waiting for what's next' Fangirls Read it First

'What a very enjoyable start to series ... a very engaging read that I really enjoyed and it ended on a perfect set up for the next book' Lynn's Books