Defiance — Ronald Long

Fans of Lord of the Rings, Dragonlance, and The Forgotten Realms will appreciate a new epic series by Ronald Long. A desperate journey north may secure the survival of the country of Thoran. But did Ealrin and his companions leave soon enough? The King's Swords are desperate. Androlion Fellgate has united the south under a banner of purity and delusional promises of a fast approaching calamity. With the other members of the elite fighting force, Ealrin travels north to convince other nations of Ruyn to join in the fight against the Southern Republic. In the struggle beforehand, however, few notice a young Speaker from The Magic Academy has vanished along with two of her classmates. Blume Dearcrest finds herself far away from the protection of castle Thoran and deep in enemy territory. Can she protect her two friends, a scholarly dwarf and talkative elf, as well as discover the true ambitions of the hate filled army of Androlion in time to help her friends? Or will Blume's magic abilities and her father's amulet get her far more attention than she could have possibly imagined? And in the far north, someone is patiently waiting to be reunited with old comrades. Reviews: I wouldn't have stopped reading except I had to make breakfast. Ronald is really good at creating suspense! - Julie C. On the Back Cover: The fires of war are only beginning to burn. With the Southern Republic now firmly in his grasp, Androlion, the self-proclaimed savior of mankind, sets his eyes on the north. The country of Thoran lies vulnerable to attack and needs a glimmer of hope to survive the coming war. With its king as one of the first causalities of the bloody conflict, Thoran must now look to his daughter, Teresa, and the famed soldiers known as The Swords of the King. Knowing that hope cannot be found in isolation, Ealrin Belouve, along with the other Swords of the King, are sent out to seek aid from the elves, dwarves, and men of the north. What perils will he face as they race to convince other nations of the need to end the violence? Demons roam the land. Goblins multiply without resistance. And at night, ghostly sounds drift in the forests around them. An alliance must be formed against Androlion or all of Ruyn may fall to his reign of violence and hate.