The Riven Shield

The Sun Sword

By: Michelle West

Narrated by: Eva Wilhelm

The fifth novel of the acclaimed Sun Sword series returns to a war-torn world of noble houses divided and demon lords unleashed...

Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyan Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost.

Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlord, Avandar, the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by the demonic Kialli, they will be hard-pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops.

In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of a bloody dynastic war—and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of the Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives.

Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage.

The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction that will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world.

©2003 Michelle Sagara (P)2022 Michelle Sagara

Best Yet

Love Michelle West/Sagara & this series and I’m so glad the last three of these books is finally getting made in audiobook format.

I’m equally pleased that Eva Wilhelm has remained at the narrator’s helm. Too often, the narrator seems to change over the course of a series, and the change is almost never a boon to the author or readers. In the best cases, only some pronunciations are changed, which can be bad enough, but in some cases whole character personalities change due to a different vocal talent.
The continuity here is greatly appreciated and Ms Wilhelm delivers her usual superb performance.