The Gates of Winter

The fifth novel in the Last Rune saga continues the tale of a complex conflict between hidden users of magic on our Earth and open users of magic on an alternate Earth called Eldh. The action jumps between worlds and times, not to mention among the viewpoints of a cast of characters grown so large that it is beginning to demand a few lists. Nevertheless, those who have stayed with the story since Beyond the Pale (1998) kicked it off are going to enjoy themselves. The Gates of Winter picks up right where Blood of Mystery [BKL Ap 1 02] left off, and there is plenty of action in both worlds as heroes and villains alike try to win the race to find Travis, the Runemaster. Besides its plentitude, the action is brisk throughout, building to a climactic battle at the gate between the worlds at the very end of the book--an ending, be it noted, that not merely promises but guarantees at least one further volume. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

In a masterwork of brilliant storytelling, the epic fantasy of two parallel worlds--mystical Eldh and modern Earth--takes a surprising turn in Book Five of Mark Anthony’s thrilling saga of magic, suspense, and adventure_, The Last Rune_.

The Gates of Winter

The enigmatic Shemal has known only two Runebreakers. One, her rival Kelephon, served the Pale King and his army of apocalypse. The other was Travis Wilder, the Runebreaker of prophecy.Now, in outcast and newly made Runebreaker Larad, Shemal has found a weapon to open the door between worlds. As the shadow of Shemal’s master, the vengeful god Mohg, Lord of Nightfall, looms, Grace Beckett seeks to harness wild magic and Travis Wilder joins her in the struggle between warriors and mages, witches
and kings and betrayers of every form.

As the time of final reckoning approaches, Travis and Grace will find themselves facing a dark conspiracy of evil whose virulence threatens to overwhelm anyone who stands in its way. Yet if they don’t succeed in stopping it, two worlds will be lost forever.