The Briar King

The Briar KingBy: Greg Keyes Series: The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone A wonderful tale . . . It crackles with suspense and excitement from start to finish.Terry Brooks Two thousand years ago, the Born Queen defeated the Skasloi lords, freeing humans from the bitter yoke of slavery. But now monstrous creatures roam the landand destinies become inextricably entangled in a drama of power and seduction. The kings woodsman, a rebellious girl, a young priest, a roguish

especially after he becomes stranded on an island reputed to have buried treasure

join little Llama as he prepares to celebrate Christmas Day

this exquisite

they’re sent to Bora Bora to investigate a case the old-fashioned way

” but as members of a community with its own history

The question is not whether Backman will survive—there is no chance of that

In awe of Paula’s larger-than-life personality

”—Ben Fountain

whose happy marriage to Henry VIII ended prematurely when it became clear that she was a starter wife--the first of six

a reflection on perishability and the sweetness its acceptance invites into our midst (“How suddenly then / the strange happiness took me

and aliens with glitter

to one million years in the future