The authors of The Steel of Raithskar continue the Gandalara Cycle. βThis whole series is a kind of literary comfort food . . . to sink into and enjoy.ββSFF Chronicles
Ricardo Carillo wakes after a meteor explosion in a new bodyβand in a strange land of desert and danger named Gandalara, where a stolen gem holds the power to control or destroy.
Ricardo, now renamed Rikardon, has cleared himself of accusations that he stole the sacred Raβira. But he still has enemies, especially in Gandalaraβs seamy, dangerous underbelly. A powerful moneylender is threatening Rikardonβs loved ones to ensure a debt is repaid. For their safety, Rikardon leaves the city of Raithskar for Thagorn, home to the Sharithβa brotherhood of warcat riders like himself.
Thagorn is expecting another new arrival tooβan illusionist named Tarani, whose uncle, Volitar, is a famed glassblower with information on the Raβiraβs whereabouts. Rikardon is drawn to the beautiful, intriguing Tarani, though she appears to be plotting against him. Tracking down Volitar forces them into an uneasy alliance and into the path of a murderous villain intent on using the gemβs power to rule Gandalaraβno matter what the consequences may be . . .
Praise for the Gandalara Cycle
βEntertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats.β βTheodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine
βThis series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.β βSF Chronicle