The epic adventure, The Minstrel's Song concludes in this the fourth volume of the tale. Laura and Stewart must now enter the eastern kingdom of Ankara, an island archipelago long isolated from the rest of the world, where rumor has it an ancient abominable social order persists. Though warned not to venture into that land by Amenophis, the wisest man in Reelobha, Laura believes she has an understanding with the High Priestess, Kalista, which will assure her safety. The problem is - which side is Kalista really on? His ambition unabated, Quantos and a few of his magician-priest supporters travel to the beautiful volcanic island off the east coast of the Verdenia mainland to meet King Thaddeus and enlist his help in their quest for dominion. A delicate game ensues in which the priests risk enslavement to gain the King's trust; but the King could be putting his entire realm at risk if he in turn becomes a tool in the priests' deadly game. Ankara begins to build its army of mercenaries which will rely on the terrible magical weapons Quantos and the priests are building. Who will have the power and dominion when the conflict is finally over? What will the war be like into which nearly every able-bodied man in the known world is being drawn? These questions and others concerning the characters you have come to know over the course of the four novels are answered in this the final volume of The Minstrel's Song series. But as in the previous volumes, the most important questions that real life itself poses are also dealt with in a stimulating and poignant story. Such eternal questions as; 'what is the purpose of the created worlds?' and 'does evil actually exist?' are answered for the thoughtful reader. Come again into the world of Laura, the Master Minstrel of Verdenia for one last time.
About the Author: James Haselton was born in 1949 in Illinois. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music degree and shortly after that, a Master of Music degree both with emphasis in music theory and composition. During this time he wrote many experimental compositions for both electronic media and traditional instruments. In 1985 he received an MBA also from NIU. Fran Lebowitz said in an interview once that there are no child prodigy authors like there are musicians such as Mozart because children have nothing to write about at that young age. It seems to be a true statement and may explain Haselton's late arrival to the art and craft of writing. After decades of searching out the best in science fiction and fantasy literature and merging that with a determined outer and inner search for truth, Haselton has come to a unique point of view and a commitment and passion for expressing it in a special type of story. His motivation as a writer has much to do with literature and language but perhaps even more to do with a life exploring the heights and depths of the human Spirit. He believes that stories should be simultaneously entertaining, didactic, eclectic, and inspirational. Haselton's most recent work, an epic fantasy series for young adults, The Minstrel's Song, embraces these values through a creative process which calls upon a life rich in the joy of music and the very best in literature to develop the singular theme underlying all of life, Spiritual liberation. For additional information about the author please visit his web site at www.jameshaselton.com.