In the Shadow of Swords (Tales of Ciris Sarn)

From Publishers Weekly A brutal assassin, a drug-addicted spy, and a vengeful widow are embroiled in a potentially world-shaking conspiracy in Gunn's convoluted political fantasy, the launch title for indie Errant Press. When Ciris Sarn, a curse-bound half-jinn, murders Hiril Altaïr, he leaves behind four books of magic. They come into the hands of Hiril's widow, Marin, and she becomes a target even as she hunts for her husband's murderer. Meanwhile, Fajeer Dassai, one of the sultan's advisers, plots to retrieve the books to make himself wealthy beyond imagination. His only obstacle is Pavanan Munif, leader of the Jassaj spies and warriors. The story is told from multiple perspectives in short bursts of chapters, and the action never stops long enough to establish or ground the setting, leaving a confusing narrative of demons and usurpers that threatens to be the first of a series. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. Review “A promising opener with villains and conspiracies aplenty.” — Fantasy Book Review “Refreshingly different novel with a gritty realistic setting and darkly detailed characters, recommended.” —SFBook.com “Strong storytelling and vivid characters make this a good choice for most fantasy adventure readers.” — Library Journal A Strategic Blueprint For Successful New Product Development And Implementation. Brand New Provides A Clear Road Map To Creating Successful New Products Using A Revolutionary Innovation Process. Author Mike Maddock Has Used His Firm's Innovation Process To Create And Launch What Is Now Cbs Sports Online, Patent A New Billing Experience For At&t, Create The Mcdonald's Snack Wrap, And Launch Precision Farming For Case New Holland, Among Others. Innovative And Truly Visionary, This Book Teaches Other Companies How They Can Maximize Performance And Revenue. Presents An Overarching Strategy For Creating And Introducing New Products Effectively. Written By Innovation Thought Leaders, With Clients Including Sc Johnson, Allstate, Philips, Johnson & Johnson, Mcdonald's, Kellogg's, Sears, And Many More. Reveals A Step-by-step Blueprint For A Disciplined, Replicable Process That Employs A Mix Of Creativity And Science To Successfully Introduce New Products. Creative And Intelligent, Brand New Equips Today's Businesses To Develop A Well-defined Process For Introducing New Products Efficiently?make That Process A Reality.--provided By Publisher. When legendary killer Ciris Sarn ends a life in an empty city plaza with a single dagger thrust, little does he know that an insidious game has been triggered by the brutal slaying. Turning predator into prey, this part fantasy, part espionage novel races along as it follows the now hunted Sarn across the brilliant white sands and sparkling seas of Mir'aj, pursued by the widow of his latest victim who will stop at nothing for vengeance. Cover; Copyright; Introduction; Acknowledgements; Prologue There Will Be Blood; Part One No Way Out; Part Two Cruel Fortunes; Part Three A Hundred Sorrows; Part Four Wanted; Part Five Instruments of Darkness; Part Six Revelations; Part Seven The Skin Trade; Part Eight Sands of Time; Epilogue A Sheltering Sky.