Lord Tophet

the long version

"A sparkling gem of mythic invention and wonder . . . Frost draws richly detailed human characters and embellishes his multilayered stories with intriguing creatures--benevolent sea dragons, trickster foxes, death-eating snakes and capricious gods."--Publishers Weekly, on ShadowbridgeDaughter of the legendary shadow-puppeteer Bardsham, Leodora has inherited her father's skills . . . and his enemies. Together with her manager--Soter, keeper of her father's darkest secrets, and a gifted young musician named Diverus, Leodora has traveled from span to span, her masked performances given under the stage name Jax, winning fame and fortune.But Jax's success may be Leodora's undoing. Years ago, following a performance by Bardsham, the vengeful god known as Lord Tophet visited a horrific punishment upon the span of Colemaigne and its citizens, a reprisal inflicted without warning or explanation. And as the genius of Jax gives rise to rumors that Bardsham has returned, Lord Tophet takes notice and dispatches a quintet of deadly killers to learn the truth behind the mask.Now, upon the cursed span of Colemaigne, where her father achieved his greatest triumph and suffered his bitterest tragedy, Leodora is about to perform the most shocking story of all."Stunning . . . Frost could be on his way toward a masterpiece."--Locus, on Shadowbridge"Beautifully written and realized."--Jeffrey Ford, author of The Empire of Ice Cream, on ShadowbridgeLord Tophet is the completion of a two-book adventure.From the Trade Paperback edition.