Janny Wurts books in order

With her husband, the Duke of Trathmere, slain in battle, Elienne becomes a captive of the loathsome Prime Inquisitor of the conquering army. Her home is now a prize of war, and Elienne swept aside in the wreckage as chattel—until the Inquisitor vows to bed her as punishment for her defiance.

Locked in a dank cell awaiting her fate, Elienne is visited by a sorcerer, powerful beyond her imagining. Ielond seeks a bride for his prince, a man condemned to death by a council that has deemed him unfit for succession since he cannot father an heir. 

When Ielond tells Elienne she is carrying her husband’s child, the recent conception offers hope to salvage the throne. To escape the Inquisitor’s cruelty, Elienne agrees to pose her son as the royal heir. But in a battle to thwart black magic and intrigue, her bold heart will remain her own, self‑reliant invention her solitary salvation as malevolent factions coalesce against her . . .

After escaping from the slave-galleys of the bloodthirsty Murghai, Korendir, a man whose past is shrouded in mystery, sets off on a series of extraordinary quests: to battle the sorcereress Anthei; to challenge the elemental Cyondide and win the lost hoard of the dragon Sharkash; to free the people of Northengard from the wereleopards that are decimating their population.

Always Korendir’s goal is treasure: but never for its own sake. A driven man, Korendir is determined to build a fortress at Whitestorm, impregnable against all comers, be they human or supernatural, to protect himself – its master – from the dark secret of his ancestry…

When Princess Anja fails to appear at her betrothal banquet, the tiny, peaceful kingdom of Sessalie is plunged into intrigue. Two warriors are charged with recovering the distraught king's beloved daughter. 

Taskin, Commander of the Royal Guard, whose icy competence and impressive life-term as the Crown's right-hand man command the kingdom's deep-seated respect; and Mykkael, the rough-hewn newcomer who has won the post of Captain of the Garrison – a scarred veteran with a deadly record of field warfare, whose 'interesting' background and foreign breeding are held in contempt by court society.

As the princess's trail vanishes outside the citadel's gates, anxiety and tension escalate. Mykkael's investigations lead him to a radical explanation for the mystery, but he finds himself under suspicion from the court factions. Will Commander Taskin's famous fair-mindedness be enough to unravel the truth behind the garrison captain's dramatic theory: that the resourceful, high-spirited princess was not taken by force, but fled the palace to escape a demonic evil?

Journey through time and space to alternate worlds and the near future in a beautiful collection of interconnected short stories.

In the title story, Wurts poignantly addresses mortality and what it is to wish. Sandy is in the last throes of life with one final request: she dreams desperately of a visit to the Round Table of King Arthur – an impossible ask, but one which is about to be realized…

In Dreambridge, the last tree linking this world to the world of the feys has been brutally attacked. Kirelle, apprentice healer, has been chosen to seek revenge on the humans who thoughtlessly attempted to destroy this sacred tie. But can they be made to understand the gravity of their actions?

In Wurts’ brilliant Fleet stories, we follow the fortunes and misfortunes of Michael Christopher Jensen Jr. and his numerous encounters with the space-pirate MacKenzie James – a relationship that will leave you wondering who the villain really is.

Sci-Fi heavyweights come together to bring the reality of the Space Elevator to life. From the discovery of the tether material, to rescue, revenge, religious rule and a recluse, enter the fascinating possibilities of the worlds around a ladder to the stars. 

With stories by Hugo, Locus, Campbell, Nebula and Asimov's Readers Poll award winners, New York Times bestsellers, and a collective works between them of over 250 novels and 500 short stories, and with the introduction of a new kid on the sci-fi block, this anthology strings the reader along at a riveting pace...

Caught in an evil plot by a king’s emissary keen to seize power, Anskiere—master of wind, wave, and weather—submits to a false accusation of mass murder in order to spare the innocent village that sheltered him.

When his desperate act of resistance traps him in a prison of his own making, Anskiere must rely on the undying loyalty of a young girl, her older brother’s obsessive quest for vengeance, and the weakling descendant of his greatest betrayer, once master of fire and earth, to thwart the ruinous ambition of his enemies. Together, the three will face a critical challenge: the rescue of Anskiere—and the unbinding of demons bent on humanity’s destruction.

With Kiethland restored to precarious peace, Taen Dreamweaver and Jaric, the sole heir to Ivain Firelord, have thwarted the demons’ initial bid to exterminate humanity. But the threat remains in the precarious charge of the Stormfalcon’s feather and the Keys to Elrinfaer that imprison the ravenous Mharg. Both must be restored to Anskiere, still trapped in his prison of ice. His release will depend upon Jaric’s mastery of the Cycle of Fire, the sorcerous challenge that drove his father to madness.

Both Taen and Jaric must prevail against Taen’s brother, Emien, fallen to demons and overridden by alien desires that ravage his spirit. With Emien the perfect pawn shaped for Kiethland’s downfall, his overlords feed his insatiable hatred with power for one purpose only: to hunt down and slay the Firelord’s heir and the sister whose gentler talent defends him.

Jaric, the Firelord’s heir, has narrowly survived repeated attacks by the demons—psionically endowed beings—and evaded their attempts to enslave him. Now, on the Isle of Vaere, he trains for his final ordeal: mastery of the Cycle of Fire challenge that broke his father’s sanity.

In the dark court of Scait, Demon Lord of Shadowfane, a vicious adversary arises to a tainted destiny. Emien retains the shape of a man, but his warped snarl of hatred and passion are controlled by a ruthless master. He is recruited to seek out human children who possess latent talent for sorcery and suborn them to further Scait’s conquest.

With Jaric’s fate uncertain, Emien’s own sister, Taen Dreamweaver, must stand on her own to defend humanity, unaware that the victims she spares are the innocent bait to lure her into the malignant thrall of Shadowfane’s overlords.

Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan. Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni. While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir. 

 Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival. But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy. Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all—in his own impregnable stronghold.

Mara of the Arcoma, Ruling Lady of her house, has established herself as a force within the Empire and a deft player of the Game of the Council, the politics of the empire. When she finds a nobleman among a band of slaves from Midkemia, she soon involves him too in her political struggles.

Besieged by spies and rival houses, stalked by a secret and merciless brotherhood of assassins, the brilliant Lady Mara of the Acoma faces the most deadly challenge she has ever known. The fearsome Black Robes see Mara as the ultimate threat to their ancient power. 

 In search of allies who will join her against them, Mara must travel beyond civilization's borders and even into the hives of the alien cho-ja. As those near and dear to her fall victim to many enemies, Mara cries out for vengeance. Drawing on all of her courage and guile she prepares to fight her greatest battle of all--for her life, her home, and the Empire itself.

Let each who reads determine the good and the evil for himself.

Athera is besieged by the Mistwraith, which blights the land and dims the mysteries guarded by the last fugitives of the old bloodlines.

But from a prophecy springs hope: the gifts of two brothers – one dark, one fair, raised on opposite sides of a relentless war – when paired may challenge the Mistwraith’s invasion, though at brutal cost…

Arithon, Master of Shadow, musician and mage, commands the power of illusion and darkness. Taken prisoner in battle, his fate falls to his half-brother, Prince Lysaer – a man endowed with the gift of light through the mother they share. Lysaer is the legitimate son of a king who was betrayed by his queen’s choice to father Arithon by his mortal enemy but that does not save him:

Vengeful fury drives the king to banish both Lysaer and Arithon from the world they know to the troubled realms of Athera beyond the Worldsend Gate.

The two exiles are thrown together by hatred and spilled blood – then bound by destiny to champion Athera’s sundered heritage. The highest stakes ride the backlash of their conflict – they must reforge their adverse ideals into balance, or destroy the etheric grace of a culture all but lost to antiquity.

Two brothers are forced to take opposite sides in a relentless conflict.

After defeating the malevolent fog that blighted Athera, Arithon and Lysaer battle the throes of the Mistwraith's insidious retribution: a curse set upon them at their moment of triumph compels them each to seek the other's downfall.

Lysaer, the charming and charismatic Lord of Light, drives his brother out of hiding and hounds Arithon with a massive army at his command. Meanwhile Arithon, Master of Shadow, the sensitive mage who prefers music to violence, must take to the seas to evade capture and strike back against Lysaer's mighty war host.

Locked into lifelong enmity, the brothers’ pursuit of each other's destruction will test the foundations of human morailty, even as threat to the world’s deepest magic rides on the outcome.

Two half-brothers cursed to life-long enmity...

Tricked once more by his wily half-brother, Lysaer, Lord of Light, arrives at the tiny harbour town of Merior to find that Arithon’s ship yards have been abandoned and meticulously destroyed, and that the Master of Shadow has disappeared as if into thin air.

Meanwhile Arithon and the Mad Prophet Dakar are travelling on foot through the treacherous Kelhorn Mountains towards the Vastmark clans, there to raise further support for his cause. But raising a warhost is a costly business. Is it mere coincidence that Princess Talith – Lysaer’s beautiful, headstrong wife – is taken captive and held for a vast ransom by a master brigand?

The forces of light and shadow circle and feint, drawing ever closer to a huge conflict. And in the background the Fellowship of Seven Sorcerers and the Koriani Enchantresses watch and plan, and wait…

Where there is light, there must always be shadow…

The schism began with two half-brothers empowered to subdue a Mistwraith. In revenge it cursed them to a life of perpetual conflict. Each believes absolutely in his cause, and loathes the other for opposing it…

Lysaer, Prince of the Light – a charismatic leader sworn to set humanity free from sorcerous oppression. He claims divine power to safeguard his people from an enemy he is convinced will destroy them.

Arithon, Master of Shadow – a trained mage who wishes for nothing but to defuse war, and search out the vanished old races who hold the key to restore the world’s shattered peace.

When Koriani enchantresses join forces with Lysaer, new intrigues upset Arithon’s hard-won autonomy. Faction is set against faction, heart against heart, and the scene is set for an explosive recurrence of war. The curse of the Mistwraith echoes eternal…

NB: This is also book One of the Alliance of Light Series.

Where there is light, there must always be shadow…

The wars began when two half-brothers, gifted of light and shadow, stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Mistwraith. Their foe cast a lifelong curse of enmity between them that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues.

It is a time of political upheaval, fanaticism and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn – none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of his half-brother Lysaer, Lord of Light, Arithon’s very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason.

Those that still stand in Arithon’s desperate defence are downtrodden, in retreat and close to annihilation. The stage is set for the ultimate betrayal.

NB: This is also book Two of the Alliance of Light Series.

Where there is light, there must always be shadow…

The curse that hangs over the Master of Shadow, Arithon, and Lord of Light, Lysaer, is drawing the two half-brothers ever closer towards direct conflict. For the Natural Balance to be maintained, the two must never fight. If they do, one is sure to perish and the Mistwraith will regain its evil power over their world.

Even now, Lysaer – convinced of his own godhead and aided by the treacherous Koriani Sisterhood – is tracking Arithon the Masterbard through the snows and wastes of the winter-locked mountains and the Barrens of Daon Ramon. Arithon is tortured by the knowledge that for the sake of future generations he must not be killed, no matter the cost of others’ lives now. Fighting valiantly to prevent unnecessary suffering, he strikes out on his own; but he is injured and failing fast.

Meanwhile, the ancient Paravians are stirring, summoned by trespassers on their sacred domain; and the Fellowship of Seven are battling on many other fronts, as the Mistwraith’s wards begin to break, and khadrim and free wraiths roam the land…

NB: This is also book Three of the Alliance of Light Series.

When half brothers Lysaer and Arithon defeated the Mistwraith its revenge left them cursed to lifelong enmity.

Having conquered the maze and acheived self-redemption, Arithon, Master of Shadow, is now the guest of the formidable sorcerer, Davien the Betrayor. No one knows how his influence will affect Arithon’s recovered mage power, or his newly awakened rogue talent for prescience.

Meanwhile Arithon’s relentless enemies will stop at nothing to acheive his downfall. The Koriani enchantresses are determined to make him their captive and their pawn. And as the Alliance of Light fanatics regroup after their defeat, the core of their priesthood now stands corrupted by a dark cabal who plot to enslave their leader, Lysaer, and use the Mistwraith’s curse as their own private weapon to break the world’s order.

The sorcerers of the Fellowship compact are sorely beset and the clans are counting their ruinous losses. Arithon, who holds their last hope of survival, chooses the most dangerous course: heart and mind he dedicates himself to avoiding killing, though allies and enemies muster for war, single-mindedly blind to the consequences.

NB: This is also book Four of the Alliance of Light Series.

Though Athera may be free, the fight is far from over…

Master of Shadow, Arithon, with barely a moment's recuperation from his victory over the necromancers, has discovered that young Jeynsa s'Valerient whom he has sworn to protect, has joined the ranks of his disowned allies within the threatened citadel. Worse, following a failed rescue attempt, his beloved Elaira, his double, Fionn Areth, and the spellbinder Dakar are also trapped within Alestron's walls. The chancy wiles of Davien the betrayer must spirit Arithon across the enemy lines to attempt a bold and perilous rescue mission.

Arithon must seek the heartcore of his talent, even while embroiled in a savage battle against those he has vowed to protect. But treachery strikes from deep within the duke's ranks. Lysaer's fanatics will be unleashed to claim their bloody revenge. With the Fellowship Sorcerers in mortal danger, and all under threat from a collapsing grimward, Davien the betrayer is unable to intercede to save his colleagues and so will be forced to invoke the dire terms of an ancient and most secretive bargain.

Arithon stands alone at the hour of reckoning as the true purpose of the Koriani enchantresses becomes, at long last fully, unveiled – with the covetous Prime Matriarch now poised to snatch a prize, a prize beyond that of merely integrity and life…

NB: This is also book Five of the Alliance of Light Series.

Betrayed and double-crossed, Arithon s’Ffalenn is held captive by the Order of the Koriathain. The desperate Fellowship Sorcerers have gambled the weal of Athera and forced through the perilous bargain that spared him, as the last Prince of Rathain, and their sole hope of unity. To suspend the Prime Matriarch’s decree of execution, Arithon lives only to battle Marak’s horde of free wraiths, unleashed one by one from the shielding grip of the star wards.

But on the day the last wraith is redeemed, the inflexible terms sealed by Dakar’s oath of debt will be forfeit…

Against a backdrop in which the Religion of Light has undergone schism, the fanatical True Sect’s high priesthood stands consumed by its thwarted ambition: to conquer Havish, the backbone of order that secures the terms of Paravian survival. Now Lord Mayor of Etarra, Lysaer s’Ilessid must fight the pull of the Mistwraith’s curse, and battle for sanity to uphold his just ethic. Another young defender will stand at his side, newly sworn by the Sorcerer’s auspices.

As Arithon’s life once again becomes the fulcrum that shifts the game board, Elaira’s choice might save or break the unstable future; while at large and answerable to no mortal law, Davien and the dragon that holds his service throw in the wild card no one predicts…

NB: This is also book One of the Sword of the Canon Series.

Lysaer’s unstable integrity lies under threat of total downfall, and as his determined protector, Daliana will face the most frightening decision of her young life.

Arithon, Master of Shadow, is marked for death and still hunted, when his critical quest to recover his obscured past entangles him in a web of deep intrigue and ancient perils beyond his imagining.

Elaira’s urgent pursuit of the Biedar Tribes’ secret embroils her in the terrible directive of the Fellowship Sorcerers, while Dakar — the Mad Prophet — confronts the hard reckoning for the colossal mistake of his misspent past, and Tarens is steered by a destiny far from his crofter’s origins.

The penultimate volume of The Wars of Light and Shadow will touch the grand depths of Athera’s endowment, and deliver the thrilling finale of arc IV, the Sword of the Canon.

War, blood, magic, mystery – and the most hidden powers of all – will stand or fall on their hour of unveiling.

NB: This is also book Two of the Sword of the Canon Series.