In Scarlet Tides David Hair continues his stunning fantasy epic set in the masterfully crafted world of Urte. With the Leviathan Bridge now uncovered from the sea, it re-opens the East to the Rondian legions and the Third Crusade ensues in the name of Emperor Constant. The Rondians are determined to succeed in their latest Crusade and have recruited the strongest and most lethal magi of the Church's Inquisition to lead the way--and to leave nothing but blood and ruins in their wake.While most of the Rondians have their sights set on gold, one fraction of the Inquisition is set on finding a more important treasure--the Scytale of Corneus. As the source of all magical power, the Scytale is a sure game-changer, and it is imperative that the power-hungry and ruthless Rondians to keep it out of the hands of their enemies if they wish to maintain their growing empire.Yet, as the Inquisition marches forward, conspiracy to overthrow the new emperor lurks in the shadows in both the East and West. With the unlikely heroes of Alaron, a failed mage; Ramita, a lowly market maid; and Cymbellea, the daughter of a gypsy set on ending a world of war, Scarlet Tides is an impressive world-building feat that proves that sometimes even weapons and magic cannot overcome the power of love and loyalty.
Author Biography
David Hair is the New Zealand-based author of three fantasy series. The Aotearoa Series is a young adult series published by HarperCollins in New Zealand. His first novel, The Bone Tiki, won Best First Book at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards. The series is built around the concept of two parallel New Zealands--the modern world, and another magical world peopled by legends, historical personages, and the ghosts of ordinary New Zealanders. There are six books in the series, which concluded in 2014 with Magic and Makutu. Hair has also written a four book YA series, The Return of Ravana, set in India and published by Penguin India. The series tells the story of a group of people whose lives are linked by one tragic past life, the consequences of which resonate in every subsequent life, with horrific results. Book One, Pyre of Queens, won the LIANZA award for Best YA Novel in 2012.
