The Chosen

At the heart of the Three Lands, there is an earthly paradise hidden within the volcanic crater of Osrakum. Here thesociety of the Masters has evolved, men who rule with savage cruelty, beings who control the universe and whose plans(or whims) can bring either perfect pleasure or death. Young Carnelian has spent almost his entire life alone with his father, who years ago rejected the savage cruelty of theMasters and entered into exile far away from the center of the World. But now a ship has come flying through the winter gales to shatter his quiet world. Three masters disembark, and as theyremove their masks of gold, Carnelian is awed by the light that seems to radiate from their skin. In formal conclave theybeg Carnelian's father to return with them to Osrakum to oversee the election of a new God Emperor. And so Carnelian and his father will return home. Carnelian will leave all that he has ever known and loved, and along hisperilous journey to the fabled lands of his parentage, he will be forced to learn bitter lessons in bloodshed and intrigue, theintricate weaving of power...and what perverse forms that power takes. Carnelian will see much of this new world...and find both love and treachery. And he will set in motion the concluding events in a story four thousand years old. The Chosen is a vibrant and lush first novel that launches an outstanding talent for the new millenniumJacket art by Mark Harrison
Jacket design by Martha E. Sedgwick