Grand Conspiracy: Alliance of Light: Volume Two (The Wars of Light and Shadow series) (Bk. 2) [Paperback]

Janny Wurts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009 | Series: The Wars of Light and Shadow series (Book 5)

A lifelong curse of enmity between two half-brothers that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues. It is a time of political upheavel, fanaticism, and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn—none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of his halfbrother Lysaer, Lord of Light, Arithon's very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason. Those that still stand in Arithon's desperate defense are downtrodden, in retreat and close to annihilation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Wars of Light and Shadow: 'Astonishingly original and compelling! A gifted creator of wonder' Raymond E Feist 'Janny Wurts builds beautiful castles in the air ! where every detail is richly imagined and vividly rendered' Diana Gabaldon 'It ought to be illegal for one person to have so much talent' Stephen Donaldson

About the Author

Janny Wurts is the author of the Cycle of Fire series and coauthor of the worldwide bestselling Empire series with Raymond E. Feist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK; paperback / softback edition (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007102224
• ISBN-13: 978-0007102228
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I value direct experience over virtual experience and research alone.
Most of the things I write about, I have done at one point in my life.
I find inspiration in the natural world, travel, insatiable curiosity, and in music.

I paint the covers and do all the interiors artwork and maps for my novels.

Experiences have included horse training and competitive riding, offshore sailing, Outward Bound, music gigs, and extensive amateur bagpiping competition, and a second career in oil painting and illustration.

One of my goals is to bring the vividness of these experiences to the readers on the pages of my stories.

For the past fifteen years, I've been happily married to Don Maitz, the artist of SF/Fantasy book cover and Captain Morgan Spiced rum fame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great novel in a superb series, August 6, 2010

By 

Stefan "Stefan" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Grand Conspiracy: Alliance of Light: Volume Two (The Wars of Light and Shadow series) (Bk. 2) (Paperback)

It gets harder and harder to review each subsequent novel in Janny Wurts' excellent epic fantasy series THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW without either repeating yourself or including spoilers for earlier volumes. My previous reviews have highlighted the series' complexity, level of detail, deep characterization, gorgeous prose, and inventive descriptions of magic. All of those positives can again be found in Grand Conspiracy, the fifth book in the overall series and second in the Alliance of Light arc.

So, what's left to say? Grand Conspiracy will not disappoint anyone who has read the previous four novels in the series. As a matter of fact, if (like me) you felt that the previous installment, Fugitive Prince, moved more slowly than the first three books in the series, because as the first book of this five-book arc it contains more set-up than usual, you'll probably be happy to hear that, despite some ebbs in the plot, Grand Conspiracy moves things along at a more solid pace again.

As always, you'll also encounter a mid-novel peak in the action, followed by a relentless rush to an exciting resolution that, at the same time, sets things up effectively for Peril's Gate, the next novel in the series. Since that's also the middle book in the overall series (book 6 of a projected 11 novels), I'm 100% sure that it'll be yet another memorable novel.

So, to avoid spoilers and repetition, I'll keep this review short and simple, and leave it at that: this is another great book in what's quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series. Now all the WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW novels are available and in print again, and with the ninth book in its final stages of completion, you're seriously missing out if you're not reading what's sure to become a classic of epic fantasy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic series continues, August 28, 2010

By 

Sandra L. Jacob "Sleo" (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wars of Light and Shadow (5) - Grand Conspiracy: Second Book of The Alliance of Light: Grand Conspiracy Bk. 2 (The Wars of Light and Shadow series) (Kindle Edition)

Mistwraith is an incredibly compelling, action filled, gut wrenching, heart stopping adventure with one of the most incredible love stories I've read in a long time.

In this one, the Koriani emerge as a truly evil force, as they manipulate spirit and matter to create a double for Arithon and continue to plot his capture or death. Arithon and Elaira build their relationship even stronger. Lirenda is shown the way to love and compassion but shuts herself off in hatred and envy.

Every character continues to develop and change, events come to cataclysmic climaxes, and Arithon continues to be one of the most riveting and fascinating heroes in literature. Music weaves its way into the elemental forces of nature. Crystals are used to force power in soul killing ways. The Paravians continue to exert their magical power that leaves men bereft in their absence.

I can't say enough about this series.