Northern Storm: Juliet McKenna

Book II of The Aldabreshin Compass. The Aldabreshin Archipelago has been ravaged by war, its fragile alliances sundered by new enemies - enemies wielding forbidden elemental magic and spreading terror throughout the scattered southern realms. Kheda, no longer warlord of Daish, has vowed to reclaim the masterless domain of Chazen but his plans are thrown into confusion when a dragon attacks the islanders. To the north, in the wizards' haven of Hadrumal, political intrigue is rife. Amidst the unrest, the female mage, Velindre is looking to make those who denied her the title of Cloud Mistress regret their short-sightedness. While the appearance of the dragon spells disaster for those in the south, it may well provide the opportunity Velindre seeks to further her own ambitions... Cover art by Paul Young.