Friday, March 13, 2009

The Red Wolf Conspiracy-9780345508836

The Red Wolf Conspiracy
Robert V.S. Redick.
Del Rey, May 2009, $26.00
ISBN 9780345508836

The four decade old hot and cold war between the Mzithrin and Arquali Empires remain unabated as both claim Crownless Lands that borders each nation and is abundant in natural resources. However, the first dramatic change between the hostilities in years occurs when the sorcerer’s floating city fortress the Imperial Merchant Ship Chathrand brings the ambassador’s daughter Thasa as a bride prize to marry a royal and forge a treaty between the empires.

However, though both emperors agree to this marriage, neither side trusts the other. Both kingdoms also remain ignorant of stowaways on the vessel. Soon on board “The Great Ship”, which seems to have vanished without wreckage anywhere, simmering distrust ignites into battles. Assassins lurk everywhere and no one is safe especially when each of the major sides and a few outsiders like Pazel the blessed-cursed tarboy, miniature sized warriors and sentient beasts learn of the Red Wolf artifact thought mythical but on “The Wind Palace” Chathrand believed real.

This is an exhilarating seafaring young adult fantasy that grips the audience from the onset as everyone on board “The Great Ship” knows lethal stalkers and betraying rats lurk around every corner. No one is safe as the stakes rise from two empires seeking peace after four decades of hostility to THE RED WOLF CONSPIRACY. Fans will want to follow the adventures of those on board the vanished Chathrand as the vessel goes where no one recently has gone before and those who once did never returned.

Harriet Klausner

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