About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the author of the Valdemar series, including "Take a Thief "and" Exile's Honor." She is the coauthor, with Andre Norton, of the Halfblood Chronicles, including Elvenborn. Some of her other novels include "The Gates of Sleep," "Sacred Ground," "The Firebird," "The Black Swan," and "The Serpent's Shadow." She lives in Oklahoma.
James Mallory is the author of the Merlin trilogy (Merlin: The Old Magic; Merlin: The King's Wizard; Merlin: The End of Magic). He lives in upstate New York.
Together, Lackey and Mallory have written "The Outstretched Shadow," the first volume in the Obsidian Trilogy.

Reviews

"In the captivating world conjured by veteran Lackey and classical scholar Mallory in this first of a high fantasy trilogy, there are three types of magic, each of which has its own rules, limits and variables. Kellen sets down a road he never expected to take, on a journey of dire importance to both humans and nonhumans (the latter including elves, unicorns, and other enchanting creatures). The narrative speeds to the end, avoiding a jarring halt while leaving the reader satisfied and wanting to know more."
--"Publishers Weekly" on "The Outstretched Shadow"
"Once Kellen realizes there is a world full of wonders, diversity, and people who think and live differently, he cannot return to the oppressive sameness of City life. When he refuses to give up the books, his father banishes him forever from the City and to a horrific death prearranged by the mages. The Wild Magic has another agenda for him, however, involving an acerbic unicorn and a woman-heavens!-to learn the Wild (but not sex) Magic from. Delightful."
--"Booklist" on "The Outstretched Shadow" "Lackey and Mallory join forcers to create an epic fantasy filled with sorcery and swordplay set in a world on the verge of a Demon war. For most fantasy collections."
--"Library Journal "on "The Outstretched Shadow"