“Derek Prior always produces masterpieces of storytelling, with great characters full of life, relentless plots, and gripping and intense fight scenes.” (Mitchell Hogan)

When a powerful artifact is stolen from the Abbey of Pardes, the holy knight Deacon Shader is sent to retrieve it.

But events have already spiraled out of control: plague spreads across the land, the dead rise from their graves, and an ancient evil has awakened.

As Creation itself hangs by a thread, Shader must confront the contradiction that defines him:

Either he is a man of prayer with a wavering faith,

Or the deadliest warrior of his generation.

The fate of all the worlds will be decided by his answer.

“Like Bernard Cornwell on ‘shrooms!” (Dinorah Wilson)

“Shader is a triumph of fantasy!” (Journal of Always)