The Ruling Sea

December 14, 2009
This exciting follow-up to 2009’s The Red Wolf Conspiracy
features enough plot twists and double-crosses to satisfy the most demanding lover of suspense. The powerful Nilstone, most recently held by a living statue who was once an insane god-king, is sought by a wizard who wishes to destroy humanity by sparking war between empires. The whole world believes the ship Chathrand
to be sunk, but it secretly survives and carries the Nilstone to the fabled lands of the south beyond the Ruling Sea, while a ragtag group of conspirators battle not only the wizard but their own empire and captain in a desperate attempt to preserve the world. Vivid characterizations and Reddick’s brilliant depiction of the microcosmic world aboard Chathrand
will captivate readers.

January 15, 2010
Despite its apparent mission of peace, the ship "Chathrand" has brought the world to the brink of war. Now Thasha Isiq, lately delivered from the travesty of an arranged marriage, and her two companions, deckhands Pazel and Neeps, must stop the machinations of war even though it means confronting the dangers of the Ruling Sea, which no ship has ever crossed. Redick's sequel to "The Red Wolf Conspiracy" continues his high-seas fantasy epic with more lore of the sea and characters as vivid and real as their colorful setting. VERDICT Fans of sea-based fiction as well as fantasy fans should enjoy this tale of shipboard intrigue and maritime danger. [Also available as an ebook, ISBN 978-0-345-51912-2.]

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2010
The second book in an appealing trilogy continues the adventures on and around the great ship Chathrand. Imperial Princess Thasha stands with her bridegroom before the priest for a wedding that is supposed to seal peace between longstanding enemies. She is not expected to survive, for behind the nuptials seethe multiple plots and intrigues. The imperial spymaster is trying to start a civil war; the Chathrands captain is mad and serves an evil sorcerer; the tiny Ixchel have their own plans. After escaping death by a hair, Thasha and her comrades face a voyage across the Ruling Sea, which is so vast that only the Chathrand can cross it, and whose southern border is unknown. Redick keeps a good grip on characters and the vast, detailed, action-packed story, and it isnt quite necessary to have read The Red Wolf Conspiracy (2008) to keep track of who is doing what to whom.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)