Galactic Spectrum Award nomination • Locus Recommended Reading List • Epic fantasy series with character-driven intrigue and spectacular magic
The royal line of Branion have been blessed, or cursed, with the power of the Flame, a magic which—if wielded properly—none can stand against. But if called upon by one untrained, the Flame is as likely to destroy its human vessel as whatever foe it has been unleashed against.
Yet even the Flame is less dangerous than Her Most Regal and Sacred Majesty Melesandra the Third, an unyielding and terrifying ruler. No one understands this better than Crown Prince Demnor, who is convinced he is his mother’s most-treasured victim. Often at odds with Melesandra, Demnor knows he will receive no support from her when faced with the prospect of an unwanted, politically motivated marriage.
But all his personal conflicts must be thrust aside when the realm of Branion is drawn into a far greater struggle as the eternally rebellious Heathland plots a bold new campaign of war. Only time will tell whether Demnor can survive the traitors within the Court and the ever-growing rebel forces—even as he strives to master the power which is his birthright.
The royal line of Branion have been blessed, or cursed, with the power of the Flame, a magic which—if wielded properly—none can stand against. But if called upon by one untrained, the Flame is as likely to destroy its human vessel as whatever foe it has been unleashed against.
Yet even the Flame is less dangerous than Her Most Regal and Sacred Majesty Melesandra the Third, an unyielding and terrifying ruler. No one understands this better than Crown Prince Demnor, who is convinced he is his mother’s most-treasured victim. Often at odds with Melesandra, Demnor knows he will receive no support from her when faced with the prospect of an unwanted, politically motivated marriage.
But all his personal conflicts must be thrust aside when the realm of Branion is drawn into a far greater struggle as the eternally rebellious Heathland plots a bold new campaign of war. Only time will tell whether Demnor can survive the traitors within the Court and the ever-growing rebel forces—even as he strives to master the power which is his birthright.
Book Details
Format:
eBook
Price:
9.99 USD / 8.99 CAD
Published: 1997-04-01
ISBN: 9781101666494
Imprint:
DAW Books
Page Count: 544
Praise for the Branion series
“I was hooked from the first chapter.” —Mercedes Lackey
“Patton weaves a brilliant tapestry of loves, lusts, and loyalties.... Her characters are subtle, complex, and extremely believable.... One of the best fantasies I have read in a very long time.” —Dave Duncan, award-winning author of the Seventh Sword series
“Takes a complex plot with tangled threads of magic and politics and deftly weaves it into a thrilling fantasy that is hard to put down.” —RT Reviews
“Moves quickly through charming scenes.... A nice touch is the gender blending in traditional roles.... Despite a large cast of characters, they are all well developed, believable, and in most cases, extremely likeable.” —Kliatt
“An epic tale of intrigue and battles, of betrayals and romances, of misunderstandings and magic.... Refreshingly avoids the common tropes or themes in much contemporary gay fiction.” —Lambda Book Report
“A complex conflict full of intrigue and rousing adventures...in an increasingly engaging series about a (literally) hot-headed family and the nation they rule, in a fascinatingly distorted, yet tantalizingly familiar, alternate history.” —Locus
“Although supernatural forces both benign and inimical abound in this tale, The Stone Prince is not about a cosmic, predestined struggled between the forces of good and evil.... The vast sweep of the novel fits well with the deeply personal perspective used in the telling.... Patton writes with clarity and conviction, rare and required qualities for a writer of epic fantasy.” —SF Site
“Rousing adventure, full of color and spectacular magic.” —Locus
“Patton writes in a mesmerizing fashion as she weaves uniquely engaging characters, a complicated plot, and some nifty magical concepts into a fascinating whole.” —RT Reviews
