Gathering Storm

The lost land of the Aoi, cast out of the world thousands of years ago, is returning to Earth, and the cataclysm that follows is close. Liath has made her way home from the bespelled land. She knows disaster trails her, and she learns to her horror that her stay there cost her nearly four years away from her family and allies.

During that time Sanglant has raised an army and travelled to the land of the griffins. He wants an alliance strong enough to stand against those who intend to rework the spell that once banished the Aoi and their lands.

Alain was caught up by Liath on her way back to her own world and time. He is returned to the present stripped of everything he cares about. A monastery shelters him for a while, but a terrible fate soon closes in. His only hope of rescue rests with the Eika leader Stronghand, who has begun a campaign of conquest in the human lands.

This is the fifth book of the Crown of Stars epic fantasy series, set in an alternate Europe torn by bloody conflict. Several storylines run side by side across armies, monasteries and magic.

Meanwhile the mathematici, led by Anne and Hugh, work to re-create the original exile spell. They neither know nor care that it could tear the world apart.