News - Zeno Agency Ltd.

Coming Soon: WHICH WITCH? by Simon R. Green

Posted on Monday, March 31st, 2025

Later this year, Severn House are due to publish the third novel in Simon R. Green‘s Holy Terrors series! WHICH WITCH? is due out on August 5th, in North America and in the UK. Here’s the synopsis…

Talented actress Diana and young bishop Alistair, her partner in crime-solving and supernatural sleuthing, face the terrifying curse of the Scottish Play in this witty, creeptastic paranormal mystery from New York Times bestselling British fantasy author Simon R. Green

Miles away from town or city, and centuries away from civilization, three witches dance around a great brass cauldron, singing songs of horror and hatred. The Crone raises her voice to ask: ‘When shall we three meet again?’ … only for the cauldron to emit a thick, poisonous smoke, sending her, and her fellow actresses, fleeing for their lives.

For the director, it’s the last straw. Macbeth is famously a cursed play, but the incident, not the first in a long line of creepy events, makes him wonder if someone – or something – is trying to sabotage the play. The show must go on! But not if the forces of darkness are determined for it not to.

Talented actress Diana Hunt, hired to give her Lady Macbeth, knows just the man to turn to for help: her partner in crime-solving, handsome young bishop Alistair Kincaid, whose help investigating a series of seemingly supernatural murders has earned them the nickname the Holy Terrors. But with evil and black magic wrapping the theatre in darkness, this investigation might cost Alistair and Diana far more than they’re expecting.

Severn House has also published the first two novels in Green’s series: THE HOLY TERRORS and STONE CERTAINTY.

Here are a just a few of the great reviews the series has received so far…

‘A sleek and appealing […] homage to vintage whodunits.’ — Kirkus Reviews on THE HOLY TERRORS

‘Perceptive and witty … Great fun’ — Booklist on THE HOLY TERRORS

‘Charming sleuths and bubbly dialogue add up to an appealing whodunit. A spirited cozy with a supernatural twist.’ — Kirkus on STONE CERTAINTY

‘The resolution to the mystery is satisfying, no matter the reader’s philosophical bent (skeptics and true believers will be equally happy). Another winner from this highly talented storyteller.’ — Booklist on STONE CERTAINTY

‘[F]ans of Green’s Ishmael Jones mysteries will appreciate the supernatural elements’ — Library Journal on STONE CERTAINTY

Zeno represents Simon R. Green on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Andrew Cartmel’s KATZENMUSIK is Out Now!

Posted on Friday, March 28th, 2025

KATZENMUSIK, the German-language edition of Andrew Cartmel‘s STRAY CAT BLUES is out today! The 12th graphic novel in the Rivers of London comic series, here’s the synopsis…

Eine Katzenfrau, ein berüchtigter Londoner Gangster und ein auf Chimären spezialisiertes Bordell sind die Zutaten des neuen Falls von Peter Grant und seinem Team paranormaler Ermittler: Eine Werkatze bittet das Folly um Hilfe, um ihre Schwestern aus einem berüchtigten Chimären-Bordell zu befreien, in dem Wesen halb Mensch halb Tier gezwungen werden, sich ihren Freiern hinzugeben. Der berüchtigte Londoner Gangster Monty und seine in finsterer Magier bewanderte Mutter betreiben den illegalen Lustladen und ein Erzfeind von Peter Grant spielt auch eine Rolle…

Ein spannendes Abenteuer aus Ben Aaronovitchs Mystery-Crime-Universum, wieder angereichert mit umfangreichem Bonusmaterial.

The superb artwork is by long-time series artist José María Beroy.

Set in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Rivers of London universe, STRAY CAT BLUES is published in the UK and North America by Titan Comics. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Old frenemies become allies in the latest Rivers of London adventure when a mysterious cat-woman comes to The Folly looking for help to free her sisters from a notorious chimera brothel run by London gangster Monty and his sinister magically endowed mother, Mrs. Napier.

Now, Romeo, together with Abigail, Kitty Butchart aka Hoodette, Reynard Fossman, and Gina Penlaw must rescue the three imprisoned women before the Faceless Man can get his hands on them…

Collecting together the critically acclaimed original four-issue mini-series.

With exclusive bonus material, included a script to art comparison, covers gallery and a collection of the backup articles from the four comics.

Titan Comics has published all of the Rivers of London comic series in English, to date. Here’s how Ben and Andrew’s comics fit in with the chronology of Ben’s novels and novellas…

Peter V. Brett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN Paperback Edition is Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2025

The paperback edition of Peter V. Brett‘s acclaimed second Nightfall Saga novel, THE HIDDEN QUEEN, is out now in the UK! Published by Harper Voyager, here’s the synopsis…

Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala — the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive — is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.

Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.

Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, but even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.

Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen. If they fail, humanity may not survive.

The first book in the series, THE DESERT PRINCE, is also published by Harper Voyager (out now in paperback, eBook, and audiobook).

The Nightfall Saga is set after the events of Brett’s acclaimed, best-selling Demon Cycle novels and novellas, all of which are published in the UK by Harper Voyager (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook).

Zeno represents Peter V. Brett in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

New World SF Bundle Launched!

Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025

In case you missed it over the weekend, Lavie Tidhar has curated and launched a new World SF Bundle! Available via StoryBundle, here’s Tidhar’s announcement…

Join me for a trip around the world, from China to Nigeria, Luxembourg to the outer reaches of space. Hello – and welcome to the eighth annual World SF bundle! Can you believe we’re still here?

Things are definitely looking bleak everywhere you turn, which is why literature matters more than ever. What better way is there to reach across languages and cultures then to experience the stories people tell? The language of science fiction and fantasy is universal, and here I tried to bring together a group of remarkable writers from all corners of the world.

The books included in the bundle include…

THE SIEGE OF BURNING GRASS by Premee Mohamed
JACKAL, JACKAL: TALES OF THE DARK AND FANTASTIC by Tobi Ogundiran
BREAKABLE THINGS by Cassandra Khaw
ECOLUTION: SOLARPUNK NARRATIVES TO TRANSFORM REALITY by Francesco Verso
THE PLEASURES OF DOWNING by Jean Bürlesk
THE GOOD SOLDIER by Nir Yaniv
THE ESCAPEMENT by Lavie Tidhar
THE GOLEM OF DENE SEVEN by Alex Shvartsman
THE BRIGHT MIRROR: WOMEN OF GLOBAL SOLARPUNK
SINOPHAGIA: A CELEBRATION OF CHINESE HORROR

The Bundle is available for a few more weeks.

ICYMI: Fairy Loot editions of Beasts of the Briar!

Posted on Monday, March 24th, 2025

In case you missed it, Fairy Loot recently unveiled their upcoming, special editions of Elizabeth Helen‘s Beasts of the Briar series! The first book was published by Fairy Loot a while ago, but now the other three novels in the series are getting the special edition treatment: WOVEN BY GOLD, FORGED BY MALICE, and BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT!

Here are pictures of the reversible dust-jacket, and the artwork on the hardcovers themselves…

The Beasts of the Briar series is published in regular hardcover and eBook in the UK by Magpie. (Paperback editions out later this year.)

Zeno represents Elizabeth Helen in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Coming Soon: A HOLY MAIDEN’S GUIDE TO GETTING KIDNAPPED by Katy Nyquist!

Posted on Friday, March 21st, 2025

This summer, Podium are due to publish A HOLY MAIDEN’S GUIDE TO GETTING KIDNAPPED by Katy Nyquist! The highly-anticipated first novel in a new series, the Scandals of the Gifted, here’s the synposis…

A Holy Maiden should never drink, get kidnapped, nor kiss a Dark Lord, but Ysabel is breaking all the rules to escape her fate as a human sacrifice.

In a world where magical powers are commonplace, Holy Maiden Ysabel is revered as a goddess among her people. She’s the only one able to heal the sick and injured with a simple touch. But her spectacular gift comes at a steep price. For each person she saves, she loses a day of her own conscripted life. To add insult to injury, she’s supposed to maintain a pure image even though she’d rather drink and play dominatrix until her sorrows fade away.

After the corrupt Head Cardinal Jiang abuses her gift, forbids her from leaving the city, and takes her brother hostage, Ysabel doesn’t dare drag anyone else into her problems — especially since it won’t change her fate. But when Dark Lord Kaine arrives at her clinic doorstep grievously wounded, she’s touched by his refusal to accept her healing lest it cost her another day of her life.

The mysterious and sexy Dark Lord awakens forbidden desires in Ysabel, and the nagging survival instinct she tried to drown with booze and drugs comes back with a vengeance. She’s less impressed, however, when he threatens to sack her city in return for his injuries. Fortunately, she can flirt her way to an alliance against the Head Cardinal instead.

Armed with only a ferociously loyal female bodyguard named Alzira, Ysabel attempts to make the most of her mere months left to live, protect the refugees around her city, prevent a war, and hide her face blindness. But before her life flickers to its sad end, she must decide: either die a proper Holy Maiden or risk it all to run off with Kaine.

With a cover by Mario Teodosio, the novel will be published on June 17th in paperback, eBook, and audiobook (read by Hollie Jackson).

“[A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped features] a protagonist with a strong voice and unique character facets like face blindness and a healing gift . . . and some nice worldbuilding, both in broad strokes and specific detailing.’ — Elayne Audrey Becker, author of the Forestborn duology

‘I… absolutely fell in love with Ysabel and Kaine… The ‘opposites attract’ trope worked so well for this story… The stakes are high throughout… Great craft and storytelling!’ — April L. Wood, author of the Season of the Witch series

‘Both [Ysabel and Kaine are] strongly drawn and very relatable.’ — Bogi Takács, author of Power to Yield

ICYMI: Rebecca Brownlie’s ABANDONED IRELAND 2 Out Now!

Posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025

Today we wanted to highlight Rebecca Brownlie‘s ABANDONED IRELAND 2, which was published just a little while ago. Published by Merrion Press, here’s the synopsis…

In Abandoned Ireland 2, photographer Rebecca Brownlie travels further off the beaten path to explore and showcase Ireland’s forgotten buildings before nature or the demolition man claims them forever. Through her evocative photography, we cross the threshold of deserted mansions, cottages, convents and hotels, mills and shopping centres, wandering through once-lively rooms that have now fallen silent, where only mementos of the past stand sentinel. Amid the decay, tables are elaborately set for tea, coats hang by the door and well-thumbed books lay poised and open, as if their owner will be back at any moment.

From a castle where King James II stayed before the Battle of the Boyne to a manor house whose occupants mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the night, the arresting and poignant photography on every page is a love letter to Ireland’s buildings abandoned to time.

The first in the Abandoned Ireland series is also published by Merrion Press.

Here are some reviews the first book received…

‘The author is interested above all, one senses, in the grain of day-to-day life: in the stories and power retained by detritus and everyday objects – the crucifix on the wall, the dusty piano, assorted books, the bottle of cod liver oil – even amid the desolation of abandonment. And more than anything, Brownlie’s tremendously evocative photographs tell and amplify such stories of materiality, and of buildings poised trembling between life and death.’ – Neil Hegarty, The Irish Times

‘The images are captivating … she has a natural eye for composition, and a talent for picking out features of interest, whether that’s highlighting the breathtaking architectural aspects of a building, or honing in on the sights that tell the stories of the forgotten lives within.’ – Chrissie Russell, The Sunday Independent

‘ABANDONED IRELAND is packed with beautiful, evocative pictures of neglected buildings which now serve as crumbling time capsules of days past. Here, photographer Rebecca Brownlie explains how a fascination for seeking out haunted houses evolved into an ongoing quest to document decaying dwellings and their often fascinating histories…’ – The Independent

‘Rebecca Brownlie’s beautiful photographic catalogue… provides food for thought in a multitude of ways.’ – Michael Duggan, The Irish Examiner

Andrew Cartmel’s UNDERSCORE out in Four Weeks!

Posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

In four weeks (April 15th), Titan Books are due to publish UNDERSCORE, the highly-anticipated eighth Vinyl Detective novel by Andrew Cartmel! Here’s the synopsis…

Some of the greatest (and grooviest) music ever committed to vinyl has come out of Italy.

And some of the greatest music to come out of Italy can be found on the soundtracks composed for its lurid, gruesome and some might say nonsensical thrillers known as gialli. The maestros who composed for these include Ennio Morricone, Piero Piccioni, Armand Trovajoli…

… And Loretto Loconsole.

No one disputes that Loconsole was a genius, but was he also a murderer?

The composer’s mistress was killed in 1969 while the pair were on location in Cool Britannia for the shoot of lurid giallo Murder in London – also known as Bikini of Blood and sometimes even The Black Dog Murders (don’t ask). There wasn’t enough evidence to lead to a prosecution, but the stink of scandal never went away. Loconsole’s career never recovered, the mastertapes of his work were destroyed and he died with a dark stain on his legacy.

Now, his granddaughter Chloe has come to England to hire the Vinyl Detective. Not only does she want him to find immaculate vinyl copies of all her grandpa’s soundtracks for a series of reissues she’s putting together to resurrect his musical reputation, but she wants him to clear his name too.

Can the Vinyl Detective and the usual gang – Nevada, Tinkler and Agatha – find out the truth of what happened in Swinging London more than half a century ago? Or might there be someone out there who’d prefer the events of the past to be left well alone, and is prepared to kill to keep their secrets safely in the Sixties?

Titan Books also publishes the first seven novels in the series, in the UK and North America: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, LOW ACTION, ATTACK AND DECAY, and NOISE FLOOR.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the series has received so far…

‘This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend.’ — Kirkus on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘… fast-paced, lighthearted adventure… marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating…’ — Publishers Weekly on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Author Cartmel has combined the tropes of the several genres into a surprising, refreshing story centered around old-fashioned records… the story delivers multiple chuckles per chapter… Based on this volume, the series will be a hit.’ — New York Journal of Books on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘THE RUN-OUT GROOVE does a fantastic job of making its fictional history of music so fascinating and authentic that you’ll forget it isn’t all true… This a follow-up every bit the equal of its highly memorable predecessor, presenting a mystery you’ll be eager to solve and characters whose company you won’t want to leave. Written with infectious charm, the Vinyl Detective has more than proven he’s no one-hit-wonder.’ (9/10) — Alternative Magazine Online on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘Cartmel at his best… an exciting and atmospheric mystery and a good addition to the Vinyl Detective’s casebook.’ — Blue Book Balloon on VICTORY DISC

‘This book was such a blast! It was a great addition to this hilarious series and I’m so impressed at how entertaining these books are.’ — Divine World of Books on VICTORY DISC

‘… an interesting and intriguing history for the series’ latest MacGuffin… the writing is sharp, funny and engaging throughout, and the main characters have never been more likeable… it’s wonderful; it’s a book filled with warmth and good humour – despite a touch of murder – that often feels like reacquainting yourself with old friends… The latest Vinyl Detective novel continues the series’ fine tradition of telling fictional stories that seem entirely plausible. There hasn’t been a dud note in the Vinyl Detective’s oeuvre to date and FLIP BACK is no exception; in fact, it might just be his greatest whodunnit yet.’ 9/10 — Alternative Magazine Online on FLIP BACK

Coming Soon: NEVERTHORN by Shannon Mayer!

Posted on Monday, March 17th, 2025

Announced last week, we’re happy to share the details for NEVERTHORN, the next novel from Shannon Mayer! Due to be published in the UK by Michael Joseph Books, on July 24th, here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to Neverthorn Academy.

Where a bunch of magical school misfits are about to save the world.

Or, more likely, die trying…

Since dropping out of Neverthorn Academy, after the death of her mother, Harlow Daygon has been working as an enchanted-jewel thief.

The last thing she expects is for the school to make an offer she can’t refuse: come back to Neverthorn and join seven others with secret magical abilities in House Phoenix. There, they’ll be trained in potions, rune casting and combat.

Because Nocta – a powerful dark wizard who has been plaguing the magical realm for decades – has the mortal world in his sights, and the students of House Phoenix are all that stand in his way.

But Harlow failed at Neverthorn once before. And nothing reminds her of this more than tall, brooding Typhon – Harlow’s old classmate and nemesis – who is now the professor tasked with unlocking her own, special power.

Except Harlow is sure that Typhon and the other professors are hiding a dark secret.

One she must figure out before Nocta arrives to bring about the end of the world…

NEVERTHORN will also be available in a Waterstone’s special edition, with fantastic sprayed edges…

Zeno represents Shannon Mayer in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Brandon Sanderson’s THE SUNLIT MAN (UK paperback edition) Out Now!

Posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2025

The UK paperback edition of Brandon Sanderon‘s THE SUNLIT MAN is out now! Published Gollancz, it is the fourth novel in his acclaimed Secret Projects books (a series originally launched as part of a record-breaking Kickstarter project). Here’s out the synopsis…

Years ago he had comrades in arms and a cause to believe in, but now the man who calls himself Nomad knows only a life on the run. Forced to hop from world to world in the Cosmere whenever the relentless Night Brigade gets too close, Nomad lands on a new planet and is instantly caught up in the struggle between a tyrant and the rebels who want only to escape being turned into mindless slaves-all under the constant threat of a sunrise whose heat will melt the very stones. Unable to understand the language, can he navigate the conflict and gain enough power to leap offworld before his mind or body pay the ultimate price?

The other three books from the Secret Projects are also published in the UK by Gollancz (out now): TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA, THE FRUGAL WIZARD’S HANDBOOK FOR SURVIVING MEDIEVAL ENGLAND, and YUMI AND THE NIGHTMARE PAINTER.

Gollancz has also published all of Brandon’s best-selling, widely-acclaimed Stormlight Archive, Mistborn and Skyward books in the UK, as well as a number of his acclaimed stand-alone novels and novellas.

Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Roger Zelazny’s LORD OF LIGHT Audiobook Re-Issued!

Posted on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025

The audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic, Hugo Award-winning LORD OF LIGHT has been re-issued today by W. F. Howes! Narrated by Matt Godfrey, here’s the synopsis…

The boundaries between gods and mortals blur in a futuristic world where ancient Hindu deities reign supreme, not by divine right, but through advanced technology and manipulation of human consciousness. Enter the protagonist, Sam, who dares to challenge these self-proclaimed gods by resurrecting the forgotten concept of Buddhism, symbolizing a cosmic rebellion against tyranny and the timeless struggle for spiritual and intellectual freedom. As Sam channels the essence of the Enlightened One, he ignites a revolution that promises not only to destabilize the pantheon but also to redefine what it means to be human.

Dive into this richly woven tapestry of myth, philosophy, and science fiction, where the fate of humanity teeters on the edge of an epic confrontation between ancient beliefs and the relentless quest for liberation.

A UK print and eBook editions of LORD OF LIGHT is available as part of Gollancz’s SF Masterworks series.

Peter V. Brett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN UK Paperback Edition out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025

The paperback edition of Peter V. Brett‘s acclaimed second Nightfall Saga novel, THE HIDDEN QUEEN, is out in the UK in two weeks! Published by Harper Voyager on March 27th, here’s the synopsis…

The first book in the series, THE DESERT PRINCE, is also published by Harper Voyager (out now in paperback, eBook, and audiobook).

Zeno represents Peter V. Brett in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Arabic Cover for Jonathan Carroll’s MR. BREAKFAST!

Posted on Monday, March 10th, 2025

Today, we’re happy share the Arabic edition of MR. BREAKFAST by Jonathan Carroll! Published by Senan Publishing House, as السيد بريكفاست, the cover is above.

MR. BREAKFAST is published in the UK and North America by Melville House. Here’s the synopsis…

Graham Patterson’s life has hit a dead end. His career as a comedian is failing. The love of his life recently broke up with him and he literally has no idea what to do next. With nothing to lose, he buys a new car and hits the road, planning to drive across country and hopefully figure out his next moves before reaching California.

But along the way Patterson does something his old self would never have even considered: he gets tattooed by a brilliant tattoo artist in North Carolina. The decision sets off a series of extraordinary events that changes his life forever in ways he never could have imagined. Among other things, Patterson is gifted with the ability to see in real time three different lives that are available to him. The choice is his: The life he is leading right now, or two very different ones. In all of them there is love or fame and of course danger because once he has chosen, there is no telling what will happen next.

Mr. Breakfast is a dazzling, absorbing and deeply moving novel about the choices that we have to confront and face, confirming Jonathan Carroll’s status as one of our greatest and most imaginative storytellers.

In case you missed it, and in related Carroll news: JABberwocky has recently published a whole host of the author’s acclaimed and award-winning backlist in eBook (UK and North America).

Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST Wins an Audie!

Posted on Friday, March 7th, 2025

We’re very happy to report that Travis Baldree has won an Audie award! Specifically, BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, which is also read by the author, has won the award for Best Fantasy! Congratulations, Travis!

The internationally-best-selling prequel to the author’s LEGENDS & LATTES, the audiobook is published by Macmillan. Here’s the synopsis…

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek.

Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv’s career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn’t possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

The print and eBook editions of the novel are published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK.

Roger Zelazny’s Changeling Saga Available in Russia!

Posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2025

The first two books in Roger Zelazny‘s Changeling Saga are now available in Russia! CHANGELING and MADWAND are published by fanzon/Эксмо as an omnibus, Подменыш. Дикая магия, here’s the synopsis…

Номинант на премию «Локус».

Два рассказа о взрослении сына Темного Властелина, перенесенного на Землю и не подозревающего о своем происхождении.

Кто такой Пол Детсон? Он подменыш, сын поверженного злого колдуна лорда Дета, отправленный на Землю, дабы избежать гибели. Здесь, в мире, где волшебство лишь легенды, юноша живет под именем Дэниела Чейна, гитариста, играющего по ночным клубам и обладающего странной энергией, которую сам не может понять. Но именно эти способности вскоре определят его судьбу в страшном поединке… в мире, о котором он пока ничего не знает.

Прошли годы, и Пол Детсон, сын темного лорда из Рондоваля, вернулся домой. Теперь он могущественный колдун с непревзойденными природными способностями, в мире, где сила магии — единственное, что имеет значение. Но Пол еще не до конца раскрыл свой талант, он остается, что называется, «Диким Жезлом». Чтобы обрести контроль над своими способностями и унаследовать отцовские власть и положение, он должен пройти тяжелое обучение и быть посвященным в колдовские обряды. Из друзей у Пола есть только один дракон и один вор. Враги — самые могущественные маги страны. И как минимум один из них очень хочет его смерти.

First published in 1980, Changeling was nominated for the Locus Award. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The people had long suffered under Det Morson’s power. When at last, the wizard Mor joined the fight, Det & his infamous Rondoval castle were destroyed. But the victory wasn’t complete, for the conquerors found a baby amidst the rubble: Det’s son, Pol. Unwilling to kill the child, Mor took him to a parallel world where technology ruled & the ways of magic were considered mere legends. He substituted Pol for a baby of the same age, using a spell to persuade the parents to recognize him as their own. In order to retain the balance between the worlds, Mor took the baby from the other world & brought it back to his own, leaving it with a local artisan, Marak.