The protagonist of Bardugo’s ( King of Scars, 2019, etc.) first novel for adults, a high school dropout and low-level drug dealer, Alex got in because she can see dead people. Most Yale students get admitted through some combination of impressive academics, athletics, extracurriculars, family connections, and donations, or perhaps bribing the right coach. Yale’s secret societies hide a supernatural secret in this fantasy/murder mystery/school story. A creditably self-contained and appealing, modestly engrossing opener, though without much originality or bite.

Wolfhere knew Da and suspects Liath has magic abilities both Alain and Liath will play important parts in the showdown between Sabella and Henry. Hugh hopes to grab the book of magic that Da left Liath, but just in time she's recruited by Wolfhere of the King's Eagles. Meanwhile, Liath, having spent most of her young life with her beloved Da fleeing unknown enemies, is enslaved by churchman Hugh when Da is murdered, leaving Liath unable to pay his debuts. At this point, however, Lavastine, a neutral in the struggle for power, is ensorcelled by Sabella's allies and marches to war against Henry. Young, parentless Alain, seemingly destined for the church, is granted a vision of the Lady of Battles and eventually attaches himself to Count Lavastine-who also keeps large, vicious dogs that, other than the Count himself, only Alain can control.

In a Europe-flavored fantasy world, King Henry of Wendar is beset by two powerful enemies: the invading nonhuman Eika and their huge, terrible dogs and by his half-sister Sabella of Varre, who denies Henry's right to name as his heir his bastard son Sanglant. 1108), the first entry in a projected fantasy series. From the author of The Golden Key (with Melanie Rawn and Jennifer Roberson, p.

King's Dragon by Kate Elliott