Description

For the last twenty years, Esclin Aubrinos, arros of the Hundred Hills, has acted jointly with Alcis Mirielos, the kyra of the Westwood, and the rivermaster of Riverholme to defend their land of Allanoth against the Riders who invade from Manan across the Narrow Sea. He has long been a master of the shifting politics of his own people and his independently-minded allies, but this year the omens turn against him. The Riders have elected a new lord paramount, hallowed servant of the Blazing One, a man chosen and fated for victory.

The omens agree that Nen Elin, Esclin’s stronghold and the heart of Allanoth, will fall when a priest of the Blazing One enters its gates. Esclin needs a spirit-bonded royal sword, a talismanic weapon made of star-fallen iron, to unite the hillfolk behind him. But the same vision that called for the sword proclaimed that Esclin will then betray it, and every step he takes to twist free of the prophecies brings him closer to that doom.

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Praise for Water Horse:

Sumptuous storytelling, well-defined characters, and superb attention to detail animate this outstanding epic fantasy from Lambda Literary Award winner Scott… // This is epic fantasy done right. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Scott’s complicated world fills up space, spills off the edges of the page into uncharted territory. It feels real, satisfyingly deep-and at the same time, those tantalising hints of other stories, other histories, made me intensely curious for more. —Liz Bourke, Tor.com

Water Horse takes place in a well-drawn, meticulously-presented world where a finely-codified technology of magic is based on music and oaths. // …a delicious struggle between fate and free will. —Don Sakers, Analog SF

Water Horse is a magnificent and haunting book, a fantasy epic that will sweep you away. Melissa Scott is a writer at the height of her powers, and this is a virtuoso performance from a modern master. —Jo Graham, author of the award-nominated Black Ships and Stealing Fire

A powerful tapestry of sword-forging and sorcery. // …bad-ass harpers, a compelling bisexual king as our protagonist, // intense politics and a clever magic system, all packed into a single epic volume. —Tansy Rayner Roberts, winner of multiple Ditmar, WSFA, and Atheling awards

The world building is gorgeous, the plot is compelling and the characters are unforgettable. I’m already hoping for a sequel! —Catherine Lundoff, award-winning fantasy author and publisher, Queen of Swords Press

Water Horse… [is] a story where heroism, valor, strength of character and rising to the occasion are not trampled and mocked and denigrated… // …a book stunningly well suited to our times. —Paul Weimer, Nerds of a Feather

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Water Horse
by Melissa Scott
Published by Candlemark & Gleam, June 2021
500 pages
ISBN: 978-1-952456-01-5
eISBN: 978-1-952456-02-2
Cover artist: Eleni Tsami