Upon the Flight of the Queen

Description

In this sequel to For the Killing of Kings, Howard Andrew Jones returns to the Nine Realms of the Dendressi in Upon the Flight of the Queen to continue this imaginative and fun epic fantasy trilogy. While the savage Naor clans ready to march on the heart of the Five Realms, Rylin Corimel infiltrates the highest of the enemy ranks to learn their secrets and free hundreds of doomed prisoners. His ailing mentor Varama leads the Altenerai corps in a series of strikes to cripple the Naor. Kyrkenall, Elenai, and the kobalin Ortok ride for the storm-wracked shifting lands to rekindle the alliance with the winged lizards known as ko'aye, the only possible counter to the terrible Naor dragons. Meanwhile, the queen is delving further and deeper into the magic of the mysterious hearthstones, in a frantic attempt to save the realms that just might doom them all. Praisd for his ability to write modern epic fantasy that engrosses and entertains, Howard Andrews Jones delivers a sequel that expands the amazing world, relationships, and adventure that he introduced in the first book of this series.

When not helping run his small family farm or spending time with his amazing wife and children, Howard Andrew Jones is hunched over his laptop or notebook. He has worked as a TV cameraman, a book editor, a recycling consultant, and a college writing instructor. He edited 8 collections of Harold Lamb's historicals and served as Managing Editor of Black Gate. He edits the sword-and-sorcery magazine Tales From the Magician's Skull and serves as Executive Editor of the Perilous Worlds book imprint.

The second book in the Ring-Sworn Trilogy, Upon the Flight of the Queen is just as thrilling and immersive as the first book. War and espionage, magic and dragons, and compelling characters fill this epic fantasy, which will fully satisfy fans of the first book and leave them eagerly waiting for book three. --San Francisco Book Review Exhilarating...This powerful epic fantasy is a heart-racing, action-packed thrill. --Publishers Weekly Howard Andrew Jones is a scholar and a gentleman, a deft multi-genre wordsmith, a living link between the tight action-adventure narratives of old and the sprawling epic fantasies of today." --Scott Lynch, author of The Republic of Thieves Praise for For the Killing of Kings: Jones's exciting epic will have readers laughing, crying, and cheering for the men and women of the Altenerai. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Jones writes well, strong prose giving a good sense of setting and able to stir emotions without ever getting itself noticed.... but the real strength of the book is simply that it is fun to read. --Mark Lawrence, author of the Book of the Ancestor series "For the Killing of Kings is a fast-paced adventure combined with an engrossing mystery, all set in a unique and original fantasy world. I can't wait to find out what happens next!" -- Martha Wells, Hugo-award winning author of The Murderbot Diaries "Howard Andrew Jones, an aficionado nonpareil of heroic adventure, has surpassed himself. For the Killing of Kings is the opening salvo of a thrilling epic set in a world that only he could envision: a thunderous, sword-clanging treat." -- Ian Tregillis, author of The Mechanical A fantastic adventure! Wit and mystery abound in this fast-paced epic across a stunning new world. -- S.A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass "Honor pushed out of fashion by fanaticism, honest talent diverted by tyranny, monsters at every border, deceit guiding all: For the Killing of Kings is a fantasy for our times, with a sword at its backbone but humans at its heart. World-building shines out of every ritual, in fragments of poetry and lines of plays. There are strong women on practically every page, strong friendships, plenty of warriors and mages, fight scenes galore, and a sense of playfulness to parry each stroke of solemnity. Reading Howard Andrew Jones is like opening a present from a friend who keeps promising, with a cheeky grin: "This is my best one yet." And it's always true." -- C. S. E. Cooney, World Fantasy Award-winning author of Bone Swans "For the Killing of Kings is a fast, fun swords and sorcery tale in the grand style, but updated for a modern reader. Magic, mayhem, betrayal, reversal, sword fights, court intrigue--this book hits all the right notes and has a great time doing it. Jones' Altenerai are a great addition to the heroic tradition--imagine Mercedes Lackey's heralds recruited from a bar in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar and you'll get something of their flavor. If you enjoy my Fallen Blade books you will find a lot to like in this novel." -- Kelly McCullough, author of the Fallen Blade and WebMage series "For the Killing of Kings is set in a sumptuously detailed world and combines mystery, intrigue, fast-paced action, and magic that comes vividly to life for a true sense of wonder." -- Ilana C. Meyer, author of Fire Dance "For The Killing of Kings is a white knuckle murder mystery brilliantly set in a Zelazny-esque fantasy landscape. It has everything -- enchanted blades, magic rings, edge-of-your seat sword fights, Game of Thrones-scales battles, ancient legends... It is the finest fantasy novel I have read in years." -- John O'Neill, World Fantasy Award winning author Where do I begin with For the Killing of Kings? Do I start with my impressions of the central murder mystery, which unfolds to fascinating and devastating effect? Do I go on about the two central characters, a grizzled drunk and a bright-eyed but promising recruit, who play foil to one another beautifully? Perhaps I could mention the way it tips its hat to Arthurian legend without becoming beholden to it, and how it put a smile on my face. I might even touch on how deftly the world was revealed, layer after mesmerizing layer. In the end, though, I suppose what matters most is the experience. What you have in Howard Andrew Jones' latest novel is a story that entrances, that draws you deep into its pages, that cradles you on a journey as rewarding as it is intriguing. Readers who crave rich, immersive tales will not be disappointed. --Brad Beaulieu, author of Twelve Kings in Sharakai