THE CRIMSON KEEP

In Morea’s fantasy novel, bandits threaten the peace of nations when they launch an assault at a summit.

Following a devastating war, the Kingdom of Regulus and the Gudarian Confederation have finally signed a peace treaty. They now hold an annual summit; this year it’s being held at Tartarus, a decommissioned fortress on the border between Regulus’ grasslands and Gudar’s desert. Bandits suddenly attack, prompting Tartarus’ magic-empowered Caretaker to engage the fortress’ defense, a “crimson cocoon” that prevents anyone from entering or exiting. Persephone, a knight and one of the kingdom’s royal guards escorting Princess Seles, is unable to intervene when the bandits abduct Seles and the Gudarian chancellor. They want access to the Vault, where a dark, mysterious secret lies. To rescue the hostages, Persephone must rely on her own skills as well as magic-infused crystals that allow her to communicate with Regulus’ forces outside; those forces fortunately include the retired general Magnus, who led the war-ending battle against Gudar. He and Persephone desperately work in tandem to thwart the bandits’ plan, which has the potential to reignite the nations’ conflict. Though the characters and locales stem from Morea’s earlier works, this taut, riveting novel is a stand-alone. Intermittent flashbacks provide ample backstories for Persephone and others (including an enigmatic silver-masked bandit) without decelerating the steady pace. The first half suggests a curious take on the 1988 action film Die Hard—Persephone is a lone warrior with a communications device moving through Tartarus’ multi-floored central tower. The cast and their various linkages are endlessly enthralling, from Magnus butting heads with a Regulus prince to Persephone’s former membership in a mercenary group founded by the bandit’s leader, Plutonus. The author’s concise prose fuels a host of entertaining action scenes brimming with magic, clashing swords, and uncanny creatures. (“It was too late for her to raise her own weapon, so Persephone kicked her legs out and entered a slide, skidding by the animated suit of armor.”)

A marvelous, lively fantasy tale of faraway lands and dashing heroes.