Bridge of D'Arnath

A violent fugitive who cannot speak, who has no past. A disgraced noblewoman who would rather forget her past. And a world of magic that has turned against both of them. Seriana Marguerite, daughter of a warrior house, once believed that intelligence, determination, and love could avert the consequences of youthful rebellion. She was wrong. Violating the singular tenet of the Four Realms-that sorcery and all who practice it must be reported and exterminated-brought torment and death to those closest to her. Only her family's influence preserved her own life, a mercy for which she has never been thankful. Over the years Seri has adapted to poverty and exile, far from royal intrigues and the politics of power. But her bitter peace collapses on the day she encounters a half-mad fugitive-a man incapable of speech, yet skilled at violence. The discovery that one of his dead-eyed pursuers is the man responsible for the horrors of her past forces Seri onto a path of anguished memory and ancient riddles, a race to unravel the mysteries of the fugitive's identity, his mission, and a looming danger that could shatter the very foundation of the world. "Berg exhibits her skill with language, world-building, and the intelligent development of the magic that affects and is affected by the characters. The first book of the Bridge of D'Arnath launches a promising new multivolume work that should provide much intelligent entertainment."-Booklist "This is excellent dark fantasy with a liberal dash of court intrigue. Highly recommended."-Broad Universe

A widowed noblewoman unites with an amnesiac sorcerer prince to fight evil magic in this epic fantasy adventure by the author of Son of Avonar. The idyllic world of Avonar reels under the assaults of its ancient foes, two-thirds of its territory a wasteland, its failing magic embodied in the last weak, dissolute prince of its royal bloodline. But a brash mage has taken it upon himself to repair his liege lord's soul. Unfortunately, the Prince of Avonar is left with no memory of himself, much less his homeland or his desperate war. Abandoned in her mundane world, waiting for news of the Prince's recovery, Seri keeps her promise to relay her brother's dying words to his son. But something is clearly wrong with her ten-year-old nephew. Secretive, isolated, angry, the boy shows an inordinate terror of Seri's past connections with sorcerers. Though determined not to care for a child whose life she resents, she finds herself intrigued, and when the boy is abducted by her longtime nemesis, Seri's frenzied pursuit plunges her straight into Avonar's war-and horrors she could never have imagined. All are ensnared by the Lords of Zhev'Na in their plot to destroy D'Arnath's Bridge and plunge two worlds into chaos. Praise for Guardians of the Keep "The well-drawn and complex characters are the focus of the story, and they carry the plot off outstandingly. . . . If you enjoy fantasy with a dark thread, such as David Drake's Isles Series or Raymond Feist's Riftwar books, Carol Berg is someone you should try. If you like good characters in an exciting, unpredictable plot, this is also a series for you." -SFRevu

The final installment of the award-winning Bridge of D'Arnath epic fantasy series by Carol Berg Fear of the Lords' final curse is only one reason Gerick never intended to return to the land of Avonar. Now, he must investigate a refugee from the desert-the charismatic D'Sanya, D'Arnath's own daughter (so she claims), newly released from a thousand-year captivity.

The Prince of Avonar is in desperate straits. Betrayal devastates his plan to defeat the vile Lords of Zhev'Na without violence, and then a ruthless attack leaves his beloved wife near death. As frustration and anger shake the fragile joining of the Prince's body and soul, war engulfs his magical realm. Sixteen-year-old Gerick, half-crazed with nightmare visions, pursued by past horror and his father's wrath, flees beyond the boundaries of the known worlds. In a sunless realm of misshapen misfits, he discovers unlikely purpose and a devastating clue to the brokenness within himself. With three worlds on the brink of ruin, the Prince and his son must look deep inside themselves to discover the truth of their enemies-a mystery bound up in Gerick's emerging magic, a world newborn from chaos, and a whisper buried deep in Dar'Nethi legend. "This is Gerick's story and we quickly learn this is a different young man from the child that we saw in Guardians Of The Keep. The past does not lie quiet in Gerick, with his nightmares and fears of a corruption that could hurt those he loves. Plots and counterplots [will] intrigue the reader with surprise twists and turns. Fans of The Bridge Of D'Arnath will welcome this addition to the saga."-Colleen Cahill, SFRevu "Intriguing…Well written . Gerick is one of Berg's most interesting characters and probably my favorite."-Fantasy Literature "Very good…read Son of Avonar and Guardians of the Keep first."-Booklist Locus Bestseller May 2005