Widowmaker

Clan Wars #2

by Peter Morwood

The tides are turning…

Life for Bayrd Talvalin has never been so easy. He has a home, a wife, children, a faithful Bannerman, and much more. What else could a clan-lord wish for?

Yet Bayrd still feels uneasy. Since one fateful day six years ago, Lord Gerin’s cries of treachery (and subsequent threats of fighting and war) have hung over his and his family’s head.

Time may have passed, but Bayrd knows the resentment festers deep within his heart.

As Bayrd serves the people over which he is clan-lord, moves are being made that will change life as he knows it. Within the clan, cracks are beginning to show…

The old ways of the Albans are no longer suitable for life at Dunrath hold. And there are many prepared to stake their claim.

Meanwhile, a treacherous, powerful wizard, Kalarr cu Ruruc, has entered the fray. Soon, Bayrd must learn the true test of fate, as he navigates a perfidious gameboard of lies, magic, and maneuvering to try and save his family, friends, and people from destruction.

As the second installment of the Clan Wars series, Widowmaker continues Peter Morwood’s impeccable fantasy tradition of thrilling pace and wonderful world-building in a tale that will draw readers deep into the world of the Albans.

Genres: Fantasy

236 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 7, 1994

About the author

Peter Morwood was an Irish novelist and screenwriter. He is best known for his Horse Lords and Tales of Old Russia series. He lived in Ireland with his wife, writer Diane Duane, with whom he co-authored several works.

Reviews

[John Constable · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second of the prequels to the Horse Lord series (it turns out he’s aiming for three), I bought it when they were having a sale, well before the embargo, I think. I was looking forward to it, in part because I was hoping that Morwood would spend more time on Sorcery and The Art Magic – in fact, this is left to the last third, if not quarter, of the book, before things start hotting up, which left me a little frustrated.
No reflection on the author, after all, he’s not to blame for my expectations, but its an area that’s only hinted at, and I’d much enjoy a book in that world, set from the perspective of an practitioner of The Art Magic, as not much more of made of Bayard’s Talent, which I also found frustrating.

I think what fascinates the author is the interplay of honour and tradition in such a setting, which while it informs it, is not the draw for me.

I’ll purchase the last one of course, and the next in the Horse Lord series, should he actually write it (as mentioned on his books page).

[Venture Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is published by Venture Press.