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Vicki Ann Heydron

Randall Garrett

A desert realm gives up its greatest mystery in the final novel of the epic fantasy adventure series by the author of the Lord Darcy books.

After a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where he must uncover his purpose—and survive to outwit his enemies . . .

Tarani is the new High Lord of Eddarta, and she intends to end its tradition of slavery and corruption. But before Tarani’s rule begins in earnest, she and Rikardon have a mission to complete in Raithskar, where a mindgifted Lord known as Ferrathyn is using the Ra’ira’s powers to manipulate the ape-like vineh. The once majestic city is overrun by chaos and fear, and Ferrathyn’s ambition extends far beyond Raithskar.

But another threat is looming, different and more terrifying than any they’ve encountered before. In the wake of a major earthquake, Rikardon finally discovers the origin of his new homeland and the reason he was brought here as Ricardo Carillo many months ago. Every battle and hard-won alliance have been leading to this: a race to save a mighty civilization from destruction, and forge a new future for Gandalara . . .

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced . . . full of swordplay and giant cats.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.” —SF Chronicle

JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.

The Gandalara Cycle

The River Wall

Book six in the Gandalara Cycle, the fantasy adventure series that “as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years” (SF Chronicle).

After a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body—and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where a sacred gem known as the Ra’ira grants its owner the power to rule—or to destroy . . .

Victory is sweet—but for Rikardon and Tarani, it is all too brief. Although they have retrieved the sword of the Kings from the lost city of Kä, a savage battle with the vineh mars their journey back to Raithskar. These ape-like creatures were once controlled through the power of the Ra’ira. Now they pose a threat both to the cat-like sha’um and humanoid Gandalarans.

To restore order, Rikardon and Tarani must travel to Eddarta, where Tarani can use the Ra’ira against the increasingly vicious vineh. First she must face her treacherous brother, Indomel, and convince the Council to name her High Lord in his place. Indomel will not take such betrayal lightly, but another danger is about to reveal itself—a sinister and ambitious traitor who has been hiding in plain sight all along.

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“A kind of literary comfort food, undemanding escapism to sink into and enjoy.” —SFF Chronicles

Return to Eddarta

Return to a land of war cats, lost cities, and mystic beings in the fifth Gandalara Cycle novel from the author of the Lord Darcy series.

After a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where he must uncover his purpose—and survive to outwit his enemies . . .

Hidden somewhere in the ancient city of Kä lies the sword of the Kings—a precious artifact that will help Tarani and Rikardon wrest control away from the malevolent High Lord Indomel. Problem is, not only is the sword lost, but so is Kä itself.

Rikardon and Tarani gather their strength in the Valley of the Sha’um, home to war cats like Rikardon’s companion, Keeshah. Tarani forms her own mindlink with Keeshah’s pregnant mate, Yayshah. Soon they’ll journey into the unforgiving desert to search for Kä, guided by memories Rikardon retrieves from the mystic All-Mind. But as Rikardon knows, while the sword can prove Tarani’s claim to the throne, it will also reveal a deception that she may never be able to forgive . . .

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.” —SF Chronicle

The Search for Kä

Fourth in the Gandalara Cycle—adventures “full of swordplay and giant cats”—from the author of the acclaimed Lord Darcy series (Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine).

After a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body—and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where a sacred gem known as the Ra’ira grants its owner the power to rule—or to destroy . . .

Rikardon and Tarani have the Ra’ira in their possession and plan to return it to the Council at Raithskar. But before they reach their destination, Rikardon is dealt a savage blow—Keeshah, his giant war cat, leaves to reunite with his own kind in the Valley of the Sha’um.

Newly vulnerable, Rikardon and Tarani are captured and brought back to Eddarta, where Tarani is forced to surrender the Ra’ira to the vicious High Lord Indomel. As Indomel’s older sister, Tarani has a claim to his throne—and the gem. But to win the support of the other Lords, Rikardon and Tarani need more than birthright. They need an ancient talisman that can only be recovered by traveling to the poisonous crater known as the Well of Darkness—a journey that will test their courage and bond to the breaking point.

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.” —SF Chronicle

The Well of Darkness

The authors of The Steel of Raithskar continue the Gandalara Cycle. “This whole series is a kind of literary comfort food … to sink into and enjoy. ”—SFF Chronicles

Ricardo Carillo wakes after a meteor explosion in a new body—and in a strange land of desert and danger named Gandalara, where a stolen gem holds the power to control or destroy.

Ricardo, now renamed Rikardon, has cleared himself of accusations that he stole the sacred Ra’ira. But he still has enemies, especially in Gandalara’s seamy, dangerous underbelly. A powerful moneylender is threatening Rikardon’s loved ones to ensure a debt is repaid. For their safety, Rikardon leaves the city of Raithskar for Thagorn, home to the Sharith—a brotherhood of warcat riders like himself.

Thagorn is expecting another new arrival too—an illusionist named Tarani, whose uncle, Volitar, is a famed glassblower with information on the Ra’ira’s whereabouts. Rikardon is drawn to the beautiful, intriguing Tarani, though she appears to be plotting against him. Tracking down Volitar forces them into an uneasy alliance and into the path of a murderous villain intent on using the gem’s power to rule Gandalara—no matter what the consequences may be …

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced … Full of swordplay and giant cats. ” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years. ” —SF Chronicle

The Glass of Dyskornis

“A fast, light and entertaining read which sets up the Gandalara Cycle very well . . . an escapist adventure in the classic mold” (SFF Chronicles).

The last thing terminally ill language professor Ricardo Carillo remembers is standing on the deck of a Mediterranean cruise ship, watching a giant fireball hurtle toward him. He awakens in the body of a young Gandalaran named Markasset, sharing a telepathic bond with a giant, intelligent feline named Keeshah.

Ricardo faces two challenges: navigating this unfamiliar desert world, and learning about his new identity and mission. Markasset turns out to be a talented swordsman with a powerful father who’s a Supervisor in the city of Raithskar. But Markasset’s own reputation is more dubious. He has gambling debts and a shadowy past—and he’s suspected of stealing a sacred gem, the Ra’ira, that was under his father’s protection.

With few allies except a beautiful fiancée and the loyal Keeshah, Ricardo is determined to piece together what really happened to the Ra’ira. The truth will either prove his innocence—or endanger the new life he has only just begun.

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

“Entertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.” —SF Chronicle

The Gandalara Cycle - The book series

The Gandalara Cycle - The book series

The Gandalara Cycle books in order

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