The authors of The Steel of Raithskar continue the Gandalara Cycle. "This whole series is a kind of literary comfort food . . . to sink into and enjoy."—SFF Chronicles

Ricardo Carillo wakes after a meteor explosion in a new body—and in a strange land of desert and danger named Gandalara, where a stolen gem holds the power to control or destroy.


Ricardo, now renamed Rikardon, has cleared himself of accusations that he stole the sacred Ra'ira. But he still has enemies, especially in Gandalara's seamy, dangerous underbelly. A powerful moneylender is threatening Rikardon's loved ones to ensure a debt is repaid. For their safety, Rikardon leaves the city of Raithskar for Thagorn, home to the Sharith—a brotherhood of warcat riders like himself.


Thagorn is expecting another new arrival too—an illusionist named Tarani, whose uncle, Volitar, is a famed glassblower with information on the Ra'ira's whereabouts. Rikardon is drawn to the beautiful, intriguing Tarani, though she appears to be plotting against him. Tracking down Volitar forces them into an uneasy alliance and into the path of a murderous villain intent on using the gem's power to rule Gandalara—no matter what the consequences may be . . .

Praise for the Gandalara Cycle

"Entertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats." —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine

"This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years." —SF Chronicle