Recommendations based on "Riders of the Realm #3: Beneath the Weeping Clouds"

Steven Barnes’s Great Sky Woman unveiled the world of a prehistoric people in the shadow of modern-day Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, in Shadow Valley, the astounding sequel, we follow the Ibandi people’s odyssey through a land where everything has changed—a land from whose ashes will grow the roots of civilization and the enduring truths of love, family, forgiveness, and faith. After the catastrophic eruption of Father Mountain, the Ibandi are divided, desperate, and afraid. Most have followed the only person in whom they still believe: young Sky Woman, who was on the great mountain when it exploded and who, along with Frog Hopping, returned to tell the tale. Nurtured by an elder whose searing visions have left her blind, Sky Woman nonetheless doubts her own visionary powers as she follows a path she can hardly discern—across savannah and parched plains—to find a valley of plenty for a people on the brink of collapse. But in fact, Sky Woman and Frog were not the only survivors of the mountain’s explosion. Another man has emerged from the destruction, vengeance pulsing in his veins, to lead a separate group of Ibandi into a vicious and reckless act of war. Soon these two strands of survivors will meet, through chance, desperation, and sheer willpower. In a world in which every moment is lived on the edge between life and death, where animal and human predators can strike in an instant, where the gods themselves seem lost, and dreams entwine with reality, a people’s destiny rushes toward them. The Ibandi must make a last, violent stand against complete destruction. In this hypnotic, thrilling, and beautiful novel, Steven Barnes explores relationships between friends and lovers, leaders and followers, strangers and allies. At once visceral and soaringly insightful, Shadow Valley is about who we are as human beings today as seen through the wondrous prism of our distant past.

The second book in The Nightfall Saga, the stunning new epic fantasy series set in the world of The Demon Cycle, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. BrettHumanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive—is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, but even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen. If they fail, humanity may not survive.

In the grand tradition of George R.R. Martin and Robert Jordan, Sunday Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett continues his critically acclaimed Demon Cycle with the next dramatic instalment: THE SKULL THRONE. The Skull Throne of Krasia is a seat of powerful magic that unites the tribes and keeps the corelings at bay. From it, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world and end the demon war once and for all. But Arlen Bales, the Painted Man, opposed Jardir's invasion and challenged him to a duel to the death, opening a struggle for succession that now threatens to tear both nations apart. Renna Bales, who may hold the key to peace, has disappeared. And as Jardir's sons move to claim the throne, risking a civil war among their people, Leesha and Rojer struggle to unite the Greenland Duchies against the Krasian advance. All the while, the corelings have grown stronger and without Arlen and Jardir, none may be able to stop them.

Tod’s story races on in this second book in the TodHunter Moon trilogy, a spin-off of the popular Septimus Heap series. Fans of Septimus, as well as fantasy readers new to the world of Magyk, will enjoy this next installment in the series ALA Booklist calls “warm and inventive.” Full-page illustrations by renowned fantasy artist Mark Zug begin each section and add to the magic!Great for readers of Harry Potter or Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven series, TodHunter Moon offers something for every reader, regardless of gender or age. SandRider is also a dynamic pick for parents reading aloud to younger children before bedtime.Taking place seven years after the events of the original Septimus Heap series, TodHunter Moon tells the story of Alice TodHunter Moon, a young PathFinder who comes to the Castle with a Magyk all her own. In this second book, Tod sets out for the Desert of the Singing Sands to retrieve the Egg of the Orm—a journey that will test not only her Magykal and PathFinding skills, but her friendships, too.

The first and best Dragonlance trilogy, set in the magical, adventurous world of Krynn.Once merely creatures of legend, the dragons have returned - but with their arrival comes the departure of the old gods - and all healing magic. As war threatens to engulf the land, lifelong friends reunite for an adventure that will change their lives and shape their world forever . . . Meet Sturm the Solamnic knight, Tanis Half-Elf, Tasslehoff Burrfoot the irrepressible Kender, Flint the Dwarf, Caramon the warrior and his twin brother, Raistlin the red-robed mage - former comrades together again after five years apart, and looking for adventure. They find it when they see a woman use a blue crystal staff to heal a villager. Wondering if it's a sign the gods have not abandoned them after all, they investigate and swiftly find themselves in deep trouble. The Seekers, a new religious order, wants the artefact for their own ends, believing it will help them replace the gods and win the continent of Ansalon. Now these old comrades in `arms must fight again to prevent the staff from falling into the hands of darkness . . . The Dragonlance Chronicles features the three novels Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning.

The new novel in Bernard Cornwell's number one bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. BBC2's major Autumn 2015 TV show THE LAST KINGDOM is based on the first two books in the series. A fragile peace is about to be broken... King Alfred's son Edward and formidable daughter, Æthelflaed, rule Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting raids. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms' greatest warrior, controls northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester. But forces are rising up against him. Northmen allied to the Irish, led by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the gathering threat, both Edward and Æthelflaed are reluctant to move out of the safety of their fortifications. But with Uhtred's own daughter married to Ivarson's brother, who can be trusted? In the struggle between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior's courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred,and this may be his finest hour.

The complete three-book series In one handsome collector’s edition hardcover, here are all three novels that comprise Terry Brooks’s bestselling High Druid of Shannara trilogy—Jarka Ruus, Tanequil,andStraken. These thrilling novels demonstrate this acclaimed author’s magic of invention and mastery of storytelling. Twenty years have passed since Grianne Ohmsford denounced her former life as the dreaded Ilse Witch. Fulfilling the destiny predicted for her, she has established the Third Druid Council and dedicated herself to its goals of peace and defense of the Four Lands. But the intrigue, treachery, and sinister deeds that have haunted Druid history for generations continue to thrive. And despite her devotion to the greater good as Ard Rhys, the High Druid of Paranor, Grianne still has bitter enemies who will stop at nothing to see her deposed—or destroyed. As wicked plots are hatched, the Ard Rhys suddenly disappears in the dead of night and without a trace. Now, barely a step ahead of the malevolent forces at work, Grianne’s brave nephew, Pen Ohmsford, embarks on a dangerous mission to find and deliver the High Druid of Shannara from wherever she may be held. With no shortage of adventure, exhilaration, suspense, and enchantment, the High Druid of Shannara trilogy proves why Terry Brooks is one of the most beloved fantasy authors of all time.

The gripping penultimate instalment of the Alliance of Light. When half brothers Lysaer and Arithon defeated the Mistwraith its revenge left them cursed to lifelong enmity. Having conquered the maze and acheived self-redemption, Arithon, Master of Shadow, is now the guest of the formidable sorcerer, Davien the Betrayor. No one knows how his influence will affect Arithon's recovered mage power, or his newly awakened rogue talent for prescience. Meanwhile Arithon's relentless enemies will stop at nothing to acheive his downfall. The Koriani enchantresses are determined to make him their captive and their pawn. And as the Alliance of Light fanatics regroup after their defeat, the core of their priesthood now stands corrupted by a dark cabal who plot to enslave their leader, Lysaer, and use the Mistwraith's curse as their own private weapon to break the world's order. The sorcerers of the Fellowship compact are sorely beset and the clans are counting their ruinous losses. Arithon, who holds their last hope of survival, chooses the most dangerous course: heart and mind he dedicates himself to avoiding killing, though allies and enemies muster for war, single-mindedly blind to the consequences.

Winged demons gather, silent and unseen, above the city of Usa, their talons long and sharp. Their purpose is clear, as is the prophesy: Upon the deaths of the three kings, the demon riders of the Krayakin will become flesh, free to slake their thirst with human blood - and the stench of evil will cover the land.  Two of the kings are already dead. For the prophesy to be fulfilled, spreading carnage across the world, the Demon Lord must sacrifice the third king: Queen Axiana's unborn child.When Emperor Skanda disbands his army, the pregnant queen takes flight, pursued by the Lords of the Undead. All hope lies with three ancient heroes, though discarded by the emperor, they are still Drenai soldiers: Bison the giant, Kebra the bowman, and the great swordsman Nogusta - the Demon Lord's greatest foe. But will these warriors - once the best in the land - be enough to stem the tide of gruesome horror that threatens to envelop the world?

The empire has fallen and another rises in its place in the action-packed continuation of Devin Madson's sweeping epic fantasy quartet. Ambition and schemes have left the Kisian Empire in ashes. Empress Miko Ts'ai will have to move fast if she hopes to secure a foothold in its ruins. However, the line between enemies and allies may not be as clear-cut as they first appeared. After failing to win back his Swords, former Captain Rah e'Torin finds shelter among the Levanti deserters. But his presence in the camp threatens to fracture the group, putting him on a collision course with their enigmatic leader. Assassin Cassandra Marius knows Leo Villius's secret-one that could thwart his ambitions to conquer Kisia. But her time in Empress Hana's body is running out and each attempt they make to exploit Leo's weakness may be playing into his plans. And, as Leo's control over the Levanti emperor grows, Dishiva is caught in his web. To successfully challenge him, she'll have to decide how many of her people are worth sacrificing in order to win. Praise for We Ride the Storm 'Highly recommended' John Gwynne 'Madson is an exciting new author in fantasy' Mark Lawrence 'A complex tale of war, politics and lust for power' Guardian 'Damn this was a good book. We Ride The Storm is perfect for devourers of grimdark fantasy and a triumph of a debut' Fantasy Hive 'A visceral, intriguing, intense and emotionally charged ride' Grimdark Magazine 'Breathtakingly triumphant . . . it has become one of my favourite books of all time' Novel Notions 'Buckle your seatbelts and prepare for a hell of a ride' Fantasy Book Critic 'Complex and immersive . . . doesn't let go until the final electrifying pages' Fantasy Book Review