The Wounded Hawk : The Crucible Series : Book 2 of 3

The Middle Ages. Finally, the Black Plague has passed, and for a while it seems evil has been defeated. Europe recovers; prosperity returns, trade resumes, and people slowly recover from the effects of the plague. Then, just as the Church relaxes its guard, war spreads across Europe. Widespread heresies challenge the authority of the Church. Revolts and rebellions threaten to topple the established monarchies and overturn the social order of Europe. And then the plague returns, worse than ever.

Thomas Neville, a neurotic warrior-priest, eventually discovers the cause. The minions of the Devil have been scattered throughout European society during the confusion of the Black Death. His task is to discover the identities of these shapeshifters so that the Church can move against them--but it is dangerous. These are master shapeshifters, perfect at their craft, and Neville can never be certain of whom he should trust.

Reviews:

"An extraordinary novel, ...meticulously researched for an authentic 14th century atmosphere, not just in terms of aesthetic details, but in terms of the character's beliefs and philosophies of life."-SFX Magazine on The Nameless Day

"Douglass recreates the Aegean world and a Pre-Celtic England in a sweeping epic that grabs your attention at the first page."-Romantic Times Book Club (4 1/2 stars) on Hades' Daughter

"Douglass once again combines mythology, fantasy, magic and romance to produce a consistent, well-rounded story full of seriously flawed characters both abhorrently evil and enthrallingly empathetic."-- Publishers Weekly (starred) on Hades' Daughter

"Douglass is a powerful voice in high fantasy that readers can equate to the likes of Robert Jordan, Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey."-Romantic Times, 4 1/2 stars on Enchanter

"With three races, licit and illicit loves, prophecy, fraternal hatred, and enough battles for several campaigns, Douglass has whipped up enough raw material to avoid shortchanging readers throughout her vast undertaking."--Booklist on Enchanter

"Epic storytelling on a par with Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan."--Library Journal on The Wayfarer Redemption

"Storytelling at its best, with fast-paced action, gritty realism, powerful characters, magic and romance."--Romantic Times on The Wayfarer Redemption