LORE: The Vallance War Series continues with book two. Five years have passed since the fall of Bannar. Vallance is still reeling from Thorne's assaults and hold to their unity by a thread. Lead by General Nathaniel Cresul, Thorne is ready to strike the final blow and end the war once and for all. Now a diplomat for Vallance, Serra Landring struggles to unify a nation slipping further and further into darkness. But through the turmoil, she receives hope in the form of a cryptic message: Norryn Ashener may still yet live. Against all odds, Serra becomes part of a small search party intent on discovering the truth. The stakes are high as they tread a road full of turmoil and danger. Alive or dead, Serra Landring will seek out Norryn at any cost. As Thorne enfolds around them, Serra and the others place all hope on a missing heir and bloodline. Failure is not an option and the end of the road could spell the difference between Vallance standing true or falling forever in the echoes of Ashener.