Mage of Clouds (The Cloudmages #2)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raves for
Mage of Clouds
:

“Richly imagined . . . The author deftly manages Meriel’s journey from the sheltered and innocent Banrion’s daughter of the book’s opening chapters to the grounded and powerful woman she will become. Intriguing, fully developed characters abound. This entry can only enhance Farrell’s reputation as one of the rising stars of Celtic fantasy.”

—
Publishers Weekly

 

“Farrell creates a world filled with Celtic flavor and richly inventive back history and peoples it with strong male and female characters. Amid scenes of sorcerous rivalries and political maneuverings runs a story of a mother’s love for her child and a woman’s loyalty to her land and her magic.”

—
Library Journal

 

“A wonderful continuation of the Cloudmages series.”

—
Booklist

 

“Farrell offers up a beautifully written tale, intertwining Celtic mythology and epic fantasy, deftly managing political and romantic subplots that add depth and color to the story. Rich in detail and characterization, this novel will delight fans of complex fantasy fiction.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“As in all good fantasy writing, character development is the key ingredient that brings originality to a story and elevates it from mere formula. Meriel’s journey of self-discovery and the growth of her character are what capture readers’ interest and enhance a wonderfully imaginative plot. It is also refreshing to read a story in this genre that features a strong, powerful young woman.”

—
Voya

Copyright © 2004 by Stephen Leigh

All Rights Reserved.

 

 

DAW Book Collectors No. 1220

 

DAW Books are distributed by the Penguin Group (USA).

 

All characters and events in this book are fictitious.
All resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

 

 

 

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Paperback Printing, January 2005

DAW TRADEMARK REGISTERED
U.S. PAT. OFF. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
—MARCA REGISTRADA
HECHO EN U.S.A.

 

S.A.

eISBN : 978-1-101-11852-8

 

Let me give a heartfelt acknowledgment to
Sheila Bading
—not for anything specifically in this book, but for the inspiration she gave me over the time I knew her. She was an excellent role model for me as well as some of my characters. May the Mother keep you safe in her arms, Sheila.

My appreciation to
Sheila Gilbert
for her vigilant editorship, for the “Wow!” moment in her editorial notes, and for making me part of the family at DAW.

This book’s sonic inspirations: Once again,
Osna
often found its way onto my CD player (and my iPod), as did
Capercaillie, Cherish The Ladies,
the
Afro-Celt Connection, Loreena McKennitt, the Chieftains, Gaelic Storm,
the
Celtic Heartbeat
collections, and even
Flogging Molly.

My apologies in advance to speakers of Irish Gaelic. Throughout the book, I have borrowed several terms from Irish and though I’ve made my best attempt, any mistakes in usage (and I’m certain there are many) are my own and are due to my limited understanding of the language. My intent was simply to give a bit of the flavor and cadence of the Irish language to English-speaking readers.

If you’re connected to the internet, my web page can be accessed at
www.farrellworlds.com
—you’re always welcome to browse through.

R
AW power smeared red and purple across the night sky, held captive in the glow of the mage-lights. . . . Jenna raised her right hand, with the stone called Lámh Shábhála clasped in her fist, to the dazzling fury banishing the stars. The radiance snarled about her arm, the painful scars that mottled her skin glowing as she cried out in mingled relief and suffering.

She felt the man’s presence before she actually saw him, sensed the attack even as the danger arced toward her: a dragon scaled in fiery red and yellow, great wings of leather beating the night sky, its taloned and muscular legs striking for Jenna as it reared back in midair, a long barbed tail lashing like a whip.