This month in my Wars of Light and Shadow (re)read, it’s time to start Arc 3, the five book sub-series also known as Alliance of Light. This intro for Fugitive Prince is spoiler free, but as it is the fourth book in the series, it will contain information that you won’t want to know if you haven’t reached this book yet. I’ll also be including a small recap of book three. Use the link above to find the book you’re up to, or the first one if you haven’t started this series yet.

At the end of book three, Lysaer’s army has been defeated and is withdrawing, the s’Brydion brothers have changed sides and Arithon has finally managed to sail off, away from trouble, and in search of lost lands and the Paravians. Lysaer has been parted from the two people closest to him. Diegan is dead and his sister, Lysaer’s wife, has been cast aside because she dared to see, and speak, the truth after being held captive by Arithon. Dakar, who has always been firmly in Lysaer’s camp, has also finally seen the light for both the curse, and the personalities of the two princes, and is now accompanying Arithon by choice. After the huge loss of life in Vastmark, Lysaer has realised that he must fashion himself into a god, and starts to cultivate this together with a view of Arithon as the devil, with the goal Arithon will no longer be able to find anyone who will support him.

I can’t remember how long after the ending of Warhost of Vastmark, this book begins. But I do believe it is several years. Lysaer’s religion has grown and Arithon returns to the continent.

The schism began with two half-brothers empowered to subdue a Mistwraith. Its vengeance in defeat cursed them to lifelong enmity, locking their gifts of light and shadow in perpetual conflict. Each believes absolutely in his cause – and loathes the other for opposing it.

Lysaer, Prince of Light – a charismatic leader sworn to set humanity free from sorcerous oppression. He claims divine power to safeguard his people from an enemy he is convinced will destroy them.

Arithon, Master of Shadow – a trained mage who wishes for nothing but to defuse war, and search out the vanished old races who hold the key to restore the world’s shattered peace.

When Koriani enchantresses join forces with Lysaer, new intrigues upset Arithon’s hard-won autonomy. Their ageing Prime Matriarch wants him taken captive, no matter the means or the cost, as a bargaining chip to break a deadlocked rivalry with the Fellowship Sorcerers. So faction is once more set against faction, heart against heart, and the scene is set for an explosive recurrence of war.