"I own three copies of this book" - Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
In a mythical realm at the 'heart of the world' - where wicked Rat Lords have reduced all humankind to slaves, and god-daemons make the decision to end all existence - a compelling quest for survival prompts the powerful White Crow to order an uprising. Among the revolutionaries are Lucas of Candover, no man's slave, and Zari, who is destined to become the living Memory of all that follow.
As they rally together, in one final desperate show of rebellion, they hope to create a magic powerful enough to reshape the very nature of how they live
Mary Gentle (1956 - )
Mary Gentle is one of the world's most acclaimed writers of fantasy and science fiction. Winner of the BSFA Award for Ash: A Secret History - the largest single fantasy work in the English language - and twice nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, she has a number of academic degrees, including an MA in War Studies, and has hands-on experience of sword-fighting and armour, amongst many other useful talents. Mary Gentle lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
For more information see www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/gentle_mary