The date is nearing, and I’ve already posted a little excerpt, but what more does this second full Maldene novel offer? Well, first let’s recap the events of the first 2-volume novel.

Sabu, Eldar, Sindar, and their friends found themselves on a little quest that led them to a far bigger quest: find out some way of dealing with the ultimate evil, Miro, or at least discovering his real intentions. They got to meet the King and his family of fourteen kids- three of which seem to have taken a liking to poor Shong. Along the way they encountered a 300-foot dragon, traveled across the world and back, found their way through Tedelnosho- the Great Whirlpool- which transported them to the world of Devoon, where the Dragon Lord- an apparent ally of Miro’s- is up to no good. They also found a collection of Fire Gems- each a part of a set of gems known as the Hevon Gems, which taps into a power that not even legend has any knowing of.

Once back on Maldene and settling into their own private little island, they perused the Dimension Book of History for any clues of some long past civilization that might have discovered a way of keeping Miro at bay, and thereby found a reference to Thïr Tÿorca, the last of the Great Human Kingdoms, fallen some 5000 rels ago (that’s 18,000 Earth years!). And so their real journey begins, as they trek across to a different part of the world on a journey that takes them some 20,000 miles distant… though Sabu’s mastery of a teleport spell allows them to cross at least half that distance in the blink of an eye for a little pitstop at the famed Harbor Of The World.

From there, they go by boat to Catho where their overland journey to the ruins of Thïr Tÿorca will begin, starting with a brief encounter with the mad wizard Po-Adar, and culminating in a battle against one of Miro’s lesser (yes, you heard me right) minions, a powerful necromancer named Krey.

Okay, so that’s the thumbnail version; about equal in scope to any three-book epic, so what else can there be coming along? Well, to start, what if I told you that the first Maldene (volume 1 and 2) is just the opening chapter; the introduction to what’s really going on? This ain’t a trilogy folks, but something much much more. For one thing, Maldene II is a bit longer than the first novel, by about 50,000 words more, and this time it’s being released all in a single volume (heck the naysayers!). For another, well…

You only saw a brief intro to Po-Adar, but trust me old Po’s a pretty significant character. We get to see a lot more of him, his desire for revenge, exactly how crazy he is (you ain’t seen nothin’ yet with this guy), and he even picks up a “special” friend (picture Joker and Harley, only not nearly as well adjusted). We see a bit more of the virtuous Lo, and also more of the mysterious gold-skinned Vina, Yiadÿia (who, as it will turn out, is one of THEE most important characters of the series). We will meet some new characters, including one only heard of in very dim legends of the world, but it is this last one that shall steer them on their way towards the destiny of the world and the secret that Miro has been taking pains to ensure remains a secret.

So what IS this secret? Take a look at the cover picture. Beyond that, all I’ll say is that this is the basis of Miro’s grand plans and the goals of… another. The heritage of the world, as Sabu and his friends are soon to discover. I wish I could say more (I really do) but I’ll just have to let you discover the excitement on your own.

New allies drop in (you’ll hit me for that one once you read the scene), while across the world, war slowly stirs as Miro begins the final preparations for a plan he set into motion many years before Sabu and his friends were even born. A plan that the King is trying desperately to play catch-up to (picture the way that DC is trying desperately to catch up to Marvel in the movies and you have an idea of how far ahead of the game that Miro is).

But what about those Hevon Gems; is there more? Hey, I DID say that the first novel was basically Chapter One, so of COURSE there’s more. Likewise with so many other things. The Nameless Ones, the King’s family, the Dragon Lord and Devoon, the Destir, the Plains Riders, the Great Sage at the Foot of the World, new characters, the world is FAR older than you think, and… Dobor.

Sounds like an awful lot just for one book, but then we are talking over 375,000 words. So reserve your copy and come the 15th just kick back, turn on some John Williams themes (I write to a lot of his stuff), and enjoy the ride, because baby I’m just bringin’ this thing out of first gear!