The Crown and the Scepter is an epic fantasy tale with a modern twist. The kingdom of Cuniray has been without a king for twenty years, and the provinces have become a loose confederacy each ruled by its own noble. In the northern province of Dernfeld, ruled by the Baron Rachloff, magic is forbidden, and industry has burgeoned with primitive railroads, work programs and assembly lines. Magic flourishes in Brenal, a southern province ruled by the Countess Aleese Tregari. As the two nobles despise each other on principle, civil war seems inevitable. Rhyah Cedars, a common field worker from Dernfeld, finds a lodestone one day that unlocks her innate abilities as she saves the life of her closest friend. Accused of witchcraft and murder, Rhyah flees her hometown for the sanctity of Brenal. However, getting to Brenal alive is only the beginning of her troubles. "Utterly unique."-John Dechancie "I very much enjoyed the mix of relationship and magic."-Lois Greiman