The Hand of Fire

Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, Guy Gavriel Kay and Tad Williams won't want to miss this beginning to a new classic epic fantasy series. The material world has a mystical reflection - the Essence. If you have the power to manipulate the Essence, you can change the world of matter. You can conjure a flame from nothing. You can make your dreams come true. Or create nightmares of your worst imagining. This is the world of The Hand of Fire, filled with gripping action and spectacular magic. The Grand Alliance has failed, its armies destroyed by the monstrous Ulokan horde. But the Ulokans have been defeated in turn by the forces of the sorcerer-lord Skraka Gorn. As ancient evils rise once more and new threats emerge, Gorn proposes a new empire under his leadership. Tamurac, lord of the Halyas, has disappeared with the Grand Alliance. Now his teenage son Danalar must accept responsibility and become the warrior and leader he has trained his whole life to be. Meanwhile, until he comes of age it falls to Charymylle, Lady Halyas, to lead the clan through this time of change - if the wardens and warband will follow a woman. When a survivor returns with suspicions of Gorn's treachery, the Halyas must make a fateful choice. They could choose safety and support Gorn's imperial ambitions. Or dare to resist his expanding empire and face his devastating sorceries in a new kind of war. Their decision leads to an adventure greater and more terrible than the Halyas ever imagined. From readers: ★★★★★ 'I loved this book...it transports you to another world that is rich in detail and history...I highly recommend you read it, you won't be disappointed' Reader on Amazon.co.uk ★★★★★ 'Well written, exciting and a developed fantasy world and character background histories' Reader on Amazon.co.uk ★★★★★ 'A really gripping read - would thoroughly recommend' Reader on Amazon.co.uk From reviewers: 'All of a sudden I was hooked, and I couldn't put this book down, to the point where at the ending I was holding my breath as events unfolded because I was so caught by the story...the imagery was so vivid that I felt as though it was right there in front of me...I can't wait to see where the author will take it next. I would absolutely recommend this book!' Rated as a 'Hidden Gem' on BeneathAThousandSkies.com 'The Hand of Fire is an ambitious book, with a complex storyline and a vast world...[It] takes its time, getting each detail correct...Roland O'Leary is crafting something with massive potential...If the rest of the series is as well written as the first book is...the payoff will be huge, and the series will be a must-read for fans of sweeping fantasy.' BeforeWeGoBlog.com 'Readers will be drawn into this well-imagined world...A fast-paced fantasy opener that leaves room for further intrigue and adventure.' Kirkus Reviews Read now and escape into the adventure.