Shy Leopardess (The Neustrian Cycle Book 3)

The Last and Best of the Neustrian Books! In this highly-acclaimed fantasy classic and sequel to Gerfalcon and Joris of the Rock, a young woman comes into her own and finds true amidst danger, intrigue, and war. You'll find impeccable writing, rich characterization, an uncommon complexity of detail, and scenes as thrilling as any in fantasy literature. "Away beyond the bulk of steel, a brush-tipped tail was waving--huge claws, fully extended, furrowed the smooth sand. The red cavern of a mouth had shut and was opening again. Four deadly corner-fangs, like white pickaxe-blades, ridged grinders ranked behind, a curling tongue like a flat, flayed serpent--a brown chin-tuft brushing the ground--another roar that filled the world? The great shape rose and blotted out the sunlight, Lioncel was already whirling the axe, and flung it hard and true. The roar was twisted to a scream as he ripped out the short sword. Then he was shocked and overborne, crusted and banged and battered; great claws screeched on metal, a hot stink blasted into his helm, and he saw the lion's palate, ridged like a red tidal beach, above him." Filled with the same kind of poetry and song that helped make The Lord of the Rings famous, the Neustrian Cycle is one of fantasy's most beloved works. Mithradates call it "Head-and-shoulders above any writing marketed as 'fantasy' today. I am nearing the end of the entire trilogy, and regretting that end is near. The next rereading will not be very far in the future."