Description:

After the time of the legends, the tale of the Guardians returns to the present in which Soren, the hero of Books 1-6, must train a new king. Old friends, new adventures!

Coryn, Soren, and the Band preside over a new Golden Age of the Great Tree under the subtle influence of the Ember. All seems well, but beneath the prosperity of peace Coryn is tortured by the suspicion that his evil mother, Nyra, is a hagsfiend and that his own blood carries the haggish taint. He wanders afar searching for the truth from hagsfiends themselves - putting the Great Tree in danger. Soren & the Band follow their new king to strange parts to guard him from the consequences of his obsession.

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Review

''Lasky has developed a unique series - a fantastical rendering of a world of owls. Characters run the gamut of owl species and each embodies actual traits of that species. Lasky's knowledge and love of owls is obvious . . . Readers will come away knowing more about these birds.'' --Children's Literature

''Lasky has combined fascinating details of how real owls live with her imaginary civilization.'' --School Library Journal, praise for the series

About the Author

KATHRYN LASKY has written many books. Among her works of fiction are The Night Journey, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and Beyond the Burning Time, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. Her nonfiction has won the Newbery Honor, among other awards. She and her husband (and frequent nonfiction collaborator), photographer Christopher Knight, live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.