The Twilight Herald (Gollancz)

the long version

"Lord Bahl is dead and the young white-eye, Isak, stands in his place. Less than a year after being plucked from obscurity and poverty, the charismatic new Lord of the Farlan finds himself unprepared to deal with the attempt on his life that spells war and the possibility of rebellion waiting for him at home." "Now the eyes of the Land turn to the minor city of Scree, which could soon be obliterated as Isak flexes his new powers. Scree is suffering from an unnatural summer drought and surrounded by volatile mercenary armies that may be its only salvation." "As elite soldiers clash after dark and the actors perform cruel and subversive plays that work their way into the hearts of the audience, the city begins to tear itself apart ... for even chaos can be scripted. There is a malevolent will at work in Scree, one that has a lesson for the entire Land: nations can be manipulated, prophecies perverted, and Gods denied. And nothing lies beyond the reach of a shadow, no matter how great a man's power."--BOOK JACKET.