Watcher of the Dead — J.V. Jones

TO AVENGE BLACKHAIL'S CHIEF AND SAVE THE NORTHLANDS

The epic saga of the Sword of Shadows has come to this: Clan Blackhail, the foremost of the northern powers, is in disarray. A usurper wages war in the clan's name while Raina Black-hail, widow of its murdered chief, plots to take back the clan.

Raina's exiled clansman Raif Sevrance is struggling to be a force for good in the land. But a near-fatal blow by an Unmade, one of the undead souls who wield swords capable of bringing death with a single touch, leaves him vulnerable. Those who fear him most capture him . . . and unwittingly set him on a course to become Watcher of the Dead.

Raina and Raif both face trials -- she, the challenge of traitors within the clan; he, an entire armed camp of enemies sworn to kill him. If they fail, Blackhail and the entire northland will fall.

J. V. Jones has crafted a human drama full of the excitement, suspense, and sheer storytelling power that make the Sword of Shadows transcendent fantasy.