Soulkeeper

February 18, 2019
Dalglish (Shadowdance) delivers all the swords, sorcery, and monsters his fans will expect in this series opener, which introduces a world worshipful of the Three Sisters and governed by the Keeping Church. Soulkeeper Devin Eveson has never questioned his duties to the church, until he sees a mysterious black water wash over the earth, leaving destruction in its wake. Creatures that the church’s teachings said were fable—including zombies, spider-wolves, and a vengeful artist of destruction known as Janus—awaken from centuries of sleep, angry that humankind has forgotten them and their creators, the five dragons. The story is slow to start as Devin journeys through the ravaged land alone, but it picks up steam as Devin accumulates companions, among them his eccentric and suddenly magical brother-in-law, his devout sister, a talkative faery, and the inevitable fierce-but-vulnerable dagger-wielding love interest. Together they uncover ways in which scripture they’ve accepted as fact is false and attempt to survive their new reality. Dalglish manages to combine familiar elements in exciting ways in a slightly overlong fantasy epic that’s sure to keep readers turning pages. Agent: Michael Carr, Veritas Literary.

March 1, 2019
The beginning of an epic trilogy set in a world where magic has just returned."Your time of humans ends. More will wake." When he hears this from a creature made of living stone, Devin can't help but believe. But he still has far more questions than answers, starting with: Is this the end of days? And how much of the world has been destroyed by the mysterious black water that's swept across the landscape, leaving nothing but rot and decay in its wake? As a Soulkeeper, Devin is trained to help the souls of the dead find their ways to the heavens and the embrace of the goddess Anwyn. But in this new world, with magical creatures returning, the dead walking, and a mountain moving toward Londheim, Devin will have to draw on all his skills, and friends old and new, to survive. Those friends include his brother-in-law, Tommy, who now has the ability to work magic spells, his sister, Adria, who has started healing the sick, plus a firekin, a faery, and a woman named Jacaranda, who is something completely impossible. True, Devin is the least interesting of these characters, but his friends' strong desires make them more compelling. Dalglish (Shadowborn, 2017, etc.) has created a rich and intriguing world and keeps the plot moving along at a steady pace.Fantasy fans will enjoy this story, where everything is changing and the fate of the human race--and some appealing characters--is at stake.

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March 15, 2019
Dalglish follows up the Seraphim Trilogy (Seraphim, 2015; Fireborn, 2016; Shadowborn, 2017) with a dark and lush epic fantasy brimming with magical creatures and terrifying evil. Humanity has been living for centuries under the protection of the three sisters of the Keeping Church, and the church's various sects, such as Soulkeepers, Mindkeepers, and Faithkeepers, protect, heal, and minister to the people. When mysterious black waters flood the land and destroy everything in their wake, a new reality unfolds across the world. With the waters comes an awakening of creatures once thought to be the subjects of children's stories, but are now frightening realities. Gargoyles come alive from their parapets, gigantic owls hunt men, and sprites and faeries reappear. Soulkeeper Devin Eveson witnesses the waters firsthand and retreats to the city of Londheim to seek the counsel of his friends. Dalglish's world building is subtle and fluid, and he weaves the history, magical workings, and governance of his world within the conversations and camaraderie of his characters. Readers of George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss will find much to enjoy here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)