In the original dustsheet. Black cloth binding with silver title on the spine.

• F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

Julian May, famous for science fiction series like The Saga of the Exile And The Galactic Milieu, starts a new series, The Boreal Moon Tale, with Conqueror’s Moon. This time May has chosen to write a classic fantasy story, set in a medieval world where magic is real, and mythical creatures can still be found lurking not far from the human settlements. Ash from volcanic eruptions has been raining down on the island of High Blenholme for three years, causing the worst famine in memory, as well as a serious disruption in trade. While some of the rulers in the four kingdoms struggle to fill their treasuries and feed their subjects, others are seeing an opportunity to increase their influence. Young Deveron Austrey, born with a wild magical talent, becomes the trusted companion of prince Conrig of Cathra, a man with bigger dreams than anyone else. Hisgoal is to bring the whole island under his own control.

This is more than a tale of Deveron and Conrig though. True to her style May lets us know the minds of Conrig’s allies and enemies as well, and you soon realize that this is a story without knights in shining armour, and with no sorcerers aspiring to become the next evil overlord. The latter is neatly avoided by a magical system that requires payment in pain foreach item of magic you master. The more powerful an object, the more pain you have to endure. I really liked that approach.

With a fairly standard fantasy setup as far as world-building goes, this book relies heavily on the characters for enjoyment. May has a talent for making you sympathize with (or at least understand) the character you are currently reading about, which is essential for a story based on political intrigue. The plot, centred on a secret military strike, is well paced. There are a few pieces of prophesy adding clues to which direction the story will take, without making it too obvious how it all will end.

Julian Clare May (July 10, 1931 – October 17, 2017) was an American science fiction, fantasy, horror, science and children’s writer who also used several literary pseudonyms. She is best known for her Saga of Pliocene Exile (Saga of the Exiles in the United Kingdom) and Galactic Milieu Series books.