John Gwynne

War has erupted in the Banished Lands as the race for power intensifies. Corban flees his homeland searching for peace, but he soon discovers that there is no haven in the west as the agents of Rhin and roaming bands of giants hound his every step. Veradis leaves the battleground and rushes to his King's side. But he has witnessed both combat and betrayal and his duty weighs heavily upon him. Maquin seeks only revenge, but pirate slavers and the brutal world of pit-fighting stand in his way. Nathair becomes embroiled in the wars of the west as Queen Rhin marches against King Owain. The need to find the cauldron of the giants drives him on. Sides are chosen and oaths will be fulfilled or broken in a land where hell has broken loose.

Events are coming to a climax in the Banished Lands, as the war reaches new heights. King Nathair has taken control of the fortress at Drassil and three of the Seven Treasures are in his possession. And together with Calidus and his ally Queen Rhin, Nathair will do anything to obtain the remaining Treasures. With all seven under his command, he can open a portal to the Otherworld. Then Asroth and his demon-horde will finally break into the Banished Lands and become flesh. Meanwhile Corban has been taken prisoner by the Jotun, warrior giants who ride their enormous bears into battle. His warband scattered, Corban must make new allies if he hopes to survive. But can he bond with competing factions of warlike giants? Somehow he must, if he's to counter the threat Nathair represents. His life hangs in the balance - and with it, the fate of the Banished Lands.

"Corban flees his homeland searching for peace, but he soon discovers that there is no haven in the west as the agents of Rhin and roaming bands of giants hound his every step. Veradis leaves the battleground and rushes to his King's side. But he has witnessed both combat and betrayal and his duty weighs heavily upon him. Maquin seeks only revenge, but pirate slavers and the brutal world of pit-fighting stand in his way. Nathair becomes embroiled in the wars of the west as Queen Rhin marches against King Owain. The need to find the cauldron of the giants drives him on. Sides are chosen and oaths will be fulfilled or broken in a land where hell has broken loose."--Amazon.com.

Set in the same world as the Faithful and the Fallen quartet, A Time of Dread takes place one hundred years after the end of Wrath. The Banished Lands are experiencing a new era of peace, imposed often forcibly by the angelic Ben-Elim. But this peace is fragile, and something rotten lurks at its heart. Young soldier Rae will do anything to join the White Wings, the Ben-Elim's peace keeping force. But a shocking betrayal shakes her view of the world and she must decide where her true allegiances lie. In the west, the giantess Sig investigates demon sightings with an elite band of warriors, though the Kadoshim were defeated long before. Sig discovers signs of an uprising and black magic - but just how serious is this threat? And in the snow-bound north, Drem and his father hunt for a living. On one excursion, they discover mutilated corpses in the silent forests behind their home. Yet is it the work of a predator, or something far worse? It seems mankind are little more than pawns in a bigger game - and in the shadows, demons bide their time, waiting to strike ...