The Initiate — James Cambias

A SECRET ORDER OF SORCERERS RULES THE WORLD. ONE MAN HAS VOWED TO DESTROY THEM.

It's their world. He's going to take it away from them. 

The Apkallu are masters of magic. Theirs is a secret tradition stretching back to the dawn of civilization. They rule the world from the shadows, using mind control and deadly monsters to eliminate any threat to their power. If they know your name, or have a trace of your blood, you can never defy them.

Sam Arquero lost his family to a demon, and knew that nobody would believe the truth. An old man named Lucas offers him the chance to find out who is responsible, and bring down the Apkallu forever. All he has to do is join them . . .

Under a new identity Sam learns the secrets of magic, infiltrates the Apkallu, and walks a razor's edge as he picks off their leaders while avoiding supernatural detectives on his trail.

But Sam faces a greater threat: As he fights monsters, what is he becoming?

Praise for Arkad's World:
“Far-flung adventure . . . Cambias offers up an entertaining coming-of-age novel filled with action and surprises. His aliens are suitably non-human in mannerisms, attitudes, and objectives, and his worldbuilding suggests a vast universe ready for further exploration. Readers . . . will find this hits the spot.” -- Publishers Weekly

“. . . a classic quest story, a well-paced series of encounters with different folk along the way, building momentum toward a final confrontation with Arkad's past. . . [with] a delicious twist to the end.” -- ALA Booklist

"Cambias has achieved a feat of world-building: an expansive, believable setting with fascinating aliens, compelling mysteries, and a rich sense of history." -- Bookpage

"Drop a teenage boy into a distant planet chock full of colorful aliens -- with troubles all their own. Stir, flavor, apply heat. A tour de force in the field, and great, quick fun." -- Gregory Benford

Praise for the work of James L. Cambias:

"Beautifully written, with a story that captures the imagination the way SF should." -- Booklist, starred review

“An engaging nail-biter that is exciting, fun and a satisfying read.” -- The Qwillery

''An impressive debut by a gifted writer.'' -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

''An exceptionally thoughtful, searching and intriguing debut.'' -- Kirkus, starred review

"James Cambias will be one of the century's major names in hard science fiction.'' -- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award�"winning author of Red Planet Blues

"Fast-paced, pure quill hard science fiction. . . . Cambias delivers adroit plot pivots that keep the suspense coming.'' -- Gregory Benford, Nebula Award-winning author of Timescape