Fate of the Fallen

November 4, 2019
Kade (the King’s Dark Tidings series) gleefully defies expectations in the disarmingly amusing, if somewhat meandering, first novel in the Shroud of Prophecy series. Growing up in the tiny village of Goldenwood, the charming and clever Mathias and his best friend, Aaslo, an introverted forester, have become brothers in all but blood. When a high sorceress reveals that Mathias is the chosen one, fated to save the world from darkness, Aaslo agrees to serve as Mathias’s sidekick, until a surprise attack leaves Aaslo alone. Aaslo must learn to be a hero himself, making allies with men and gods alike in order to fulfil Mathias’s destiny. Kade’s arch humor, clever trope subversion, and skillfully drawn characters keep the story moving along, even if the plot tends to wander aimlessly. Despite the uneven pacing, Kade’s exciting disregard for convention makes for a world where everything is possible and no one is safe. This is a series to watch. Agent: Paul Stevens, Donald Maass Literary Agency.

October 1, 2019
You have all heard of the time when the dead didn't tread upon the land? Thus begins the Shroud of Prophecy series, the tale of Aaslo the forester, true brother in every sense except by blood to Mathias, the prophesied Chosen One. Foresters are respected for maintaining the woodlands, doing what needs doing, even when no one else wants to. When Mathias is killed and his destiny as savior destroyed, humanity faces certain doom; but when destiny fails, fate sometimes steps in to complete the thwarted task. In this case, fate comes in the form of Aaslo, who takes up his brother's cause and is determined to finish it for him, no matter what the cost to himself. Unknown to Aaslo, the gods of war and death are eager to see the world cleansed and are working together toward that end. Can a lone forester defy the gods, reverse prophecy, and save humankind? Kade follows her King's Dark Tidings series for young adults with a complex, dark fantasy about facing the inevitable. Offer this to fans of epic quests.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)