An outland warrior bearing a terrible curse arrives at the Dragon's Inn in the city of Zhanorica. A chance encounter triggers a series of unexpected consequences, drawing him into a web of sorcery and intrigue threatening the city. As he makes new friends and new enemies, Jake Shade must confront his own haunted past - and decide whether love is worth the price that must be paid.
Some readers might find the introduction of so many characters so quickly a bit off putting, but it creates a Zhanorica—the city where the action takes place—that feels full and lived in. Crooked cops, street urchins, crime lords, shady merchants, promising mages, it's all very fun and immersive. Then there's the McGuffin, doesn't really matter what it is or does, think DeNiro in RONIN, that's gone missing and powerful forces want it back. Take all of this add an outlander with a curse, shake liberally and you've got one heck of a fantasy novel.