Shadowdance Series by David Dalglish, Stefano Massaron

Every king must have his heirs, and I will have heirs worthy of my legend...Thren Felhorn is a legend of the underworld, the leader of the powerful Spider Guild, father to the Watcher of Veldaren, and the most feared man in a city flooded with crime and death... moreEvery king must have his heirs, and I will have heirs worthy of my legend...Thren Felhorn is a legend of the underworld, the leader of the powerful Spider Guild, father to the Watcher of Veldaren, and the most feared man in a city flooded with crime and death."Cloak and Spider" contains six interconnected stories that work as a novella, chronicling Thren's tutelage under the fearsome Darkhand, his bloody rise to fame, the creation of his infamous guild, and the birth of his son, Aaron, who would grow up to be a legend all his own. less

Thren Felhorn is the greatest assassin of his time. Marshalling the thieves’ guilds under his control, he declares war against the Trifect, an allegiance of wealthy and powerful nobles.Aaron Felhorn has been groomed since birth to be Thren’s heir. Sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. In doing so, he glimpses a world beyond poison, daggers, and the iron control of his father... moreThren Felhorn is the greatest assassin of his time. Marshalling the thieves’ guilds under his control, he declares war against the Trifect, an allegiance of wealthy and powerful nobles.Aaron Felhorn has been groomed since birth to be Thren’s heir. Sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. In doing so, he glimpses a world beyond poison, daggers, and the iron control of his father.Guilds twist and turn, trading allegiances for survival. The Trifect weakens, its reputation broken, its money dwindling. The players take sides as the war nears its end, and Thren puts in motion a plan to execute hundreds.Only Aaron can stop the massacre and protect those he loves…Assassin or protector; every choice has its consequences. less

Thren Felhorn, mastro della Gilda del Ragno, è un assassino spietato, il capo indiscusso delle Gilde dei Ladri. Tutti lo temono. Persino il re Edwin Vaelor, giovane e inetto; persino il Triumvirato, l’alleanza delle tre famiglie aristocratiche più potenti dell’intera terra del Drezel, da anni impegnate in una guerra senza quartiere con i ladri che attentano alle loro ricchezze... moreThren Felhorn, mastro della Gilda del Ragno, è un assassino spietato, il capo indiscusso delle Gilde dei Ladri. Tutti lo temono. Persino il re Edwin Vaelor, giovane e inetto; persino il Triumvirato, l’alleanza delle tre famiglie aristocratiche più potenti dell’intera terra del Drezel, da anni impegnate in una guerra senza quartiere con i ladri che attentano alle loro ricchezze. Ora, però, Thren ha un piano per porre fine alle ostilità una volta per tutte: vuole colpire i suoi nemici durante la grande festa del Kensgold, quando i tre patriarchi si riuniscono per festeggiare e ostentare sfarzo e potere. Anche Aaron teme Thren, e non oserebbe mai ribellarsi a lui. È il suo unico erede, il figlio che dovrà prendere il suo posto al vertice della Gilda. A otto anni Aaron ha ucciso per la prima volta, ha accoltellato il suo stesso fratello maggiore. Ora che ne ha tredici, però, il pensiero di vivere nella violenza e nell’assassinio lo disgusta. Può contare su due soli alleati: Kayla, la giovane ladra che gli ha salvato la vita, diventando così il braccio destro di Thren, e Robert Haern, l’anziano ex tutore di corte e suo precettore, che vorrebbe per il ragazzo una sorte diversa da quella che il padre gli impone. Intanto, mentre i preparativi per il Kensgold si fanno incandescenti, il patriarca Maynard Gemcroft cerca di sopravvivere ai complotti della famiglia rivale dei Kull, cui sua figlia Alyssa si è incautamente legata. Ma la ragazza dovrà scegliere da che parte stare, e lo farà sotto la guida e con l’aiuto delle Senzavolto, guerriere abilissime, dotate di capacità magiche e in grado di violare anche le fortezze più impenetrabili. Uno straordinario affresco di magia, combattimenti, brutalità e avventura, nel primo capitolo di una saga fantasy che ha conquistato i lettori di tutto il mondo. less

From USA Today bestselling author David DalglishIt's been five long years since the city learned to fear. . .In book #2 of the Shadowdance series, the war between the thief guilds and the powerful allegiance known as the Trifect has slowly dwindled. Now only the mysterious Haern is left to wage his private battle against the guilds in the guise of the Watcher -- a vicious killer who knows no limits... moreFrom USA Today bestselling author David DalglishIt's been five long years since the city learned to fear. . .In book #2 of the Shadowdance series, the war between the thief guilds and the powerful allegiance known as the Trifect has slowly dwindled. Now only the mysterious Haern is left to wage his private battle against the guilds in the guise of the Watcher -- a vicious killer who knows no limits. But when the son of Alyssa Gemcroft, one of the three leaders of the Trifect, is believed murdered, the slaughter begins anew. Mercenaries flood the streets with one goal in mind: find and kill the Watcher.Peace or destruction; every war must have its end.Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power. less

From USA Today bestselling author David DalglishOne has conquered a city. The other covets an entire nation. In book #3 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, protector against thieves and nobles who would fill the night with blood. Yet hundreds of miles away, an assassin known as the Wraith has begun slaughtering those in power, leaving the symbol of the Watcher in mockery... moreFrom USA Today bestselling author David DalglishOne has conquered a city. The other covets an entire nation. In book #3 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, protector against thieves and nobles who would fill the night with blood. Yet hundreds of miles away, an assassin known as the Wraith has begun slaughtering those in power, leaving the symbol of the Watcher in mockery. When Haern travels south to confront this copycat, he finds a city ruled by the corrupt, the greedy and the dangerous. Rioters fill the streets, and the threat of war hangs over everything. To forge peace, Haern must confront the deadly Wraith, a killer who would shape the kingdom's future with the blade of his sword.Man or God; what happens when the lines are blurred? Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power in the third novel of the Shadowdance series, previously released as A Dance of Death. ShadowdanceA Dance of CloaksA Dance of BladesA Dance of MirrorsA Dance of ShadowsA Dance of GhostsA Dance of ChaosSeraphimSkybornFirebornShadowborn less

The Shadowdance Trilogy chronicles the childhood, training, and rise to power of Haern, the Watcher of Veldaren. --- A DANCE OF CLOAKS - Aaron has been groomed since birth to be heir of an underworld empire. Yet when sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. In doing so, he glimpses a world beyond poison, daggers, and the iron control of his father... moreThe Shadowdance Trilogy chronicles the childhood, training, and rise to power of Haern, the Watcher of Veldaren. --- A DANCE OF CLOAKS - Aaron has been groomed since birth to be heir of an underworld empire. Yet when sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. In doing so, he glimpses a world beyond poison, daggers, and the iron control of his father. A DANCE OF BLADES - When the son of Alyssa Gemcroft, one of the three leaders of the powerful Trifect, is believed murdered, slaughter begins anew in the streets of Veldaren. Mercenaries flood the city with one goal in mind: find and kill Aaron, now known as Haern, the King's Watcher. A DANCE OF DEATH - Haern travels south to confront a copycat killer, finding a city ruled by the corrupt, the greedy, and the dangerous. Rioters fill the streets, and the threat of war with the mysterious elves hangs over all. To stop it, Haern must confront the deadly Wraith, and the man he might become. --- About the Author: David Dalglish currently lives in rural Missouri with his wife Samantha, daughter Morgan, and snake, Velixar. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2006 with a degree in Mathematics and currently spends his free time watching PBS and Spongebob Squarepants with his daughter. less

From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish"Prove that you can stand against the darkness and live."In book #4 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, born an assassin only to become the city of Veldaren's protector against the thief guilds.When Lord Victor Kane attacks the city, determined to stamp out all corruption, foreign gangs pour in amidst the chaos in an attempt to overthrow the current lords of the underworld... moreFrom USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish"Prove that you can stand against the darkness and live."In book #4 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, born an assassin only to become the city of Veldaren's protector against the thief guilds.When Lord Victor Kane attacks the city, determined to stamp out all corruption, foreign gangs pour in amidst the chaos in an attempt to overthrow the current lords of the underworld.And when a mysterious killer known as the Widow begins mutilating thieves, paranoia engulfs the city. Haern knows someone is behind the turmoil, pulling strings. If he doesn't find out who -- and soon -- his beloved city will burn.Light or darkness: where will the line be drawn?Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power in this fourth novel of the Shadowdance series, previously released as Blood of the Underworld. less

IN A CITY KNOWN FOR DARKNESS, THE UNDERWORLD TREMBLES AT THE RISE OF THE SUN... In book #5 of the Shadowdance series... He is known as Muzien the Darkhand, and a night of fire and blood heralds his arrival to the beleaguered city of Veldaren. With him comes the might of the Sun Guild, its thieves and smugglers eager to spread their criminal empire to the east... moreIN A CITY KNOWN FOR DARKNESS, THE UNDERWORLD TREMBLES AT THE RISE OF THE SUN... In book #5 of the Shadowdance series... He is known as Muzien the Darkhand, and a night of fire and blood heralds his arrival to the beleaguered city of Veldaren. With him comes the might of the Sun Guild, its thieves and smugglers eager to spread their criminal empire to the east. Left blind and vulnerable after being attacked by the Widow, Alyssa Gemcroft struggles to hold together the remnants of the Trifect as the Sun Guild's arrival threatens to shatter whatever future her son might have left. Veldaren's only hope is in the Watcher, but Haern is no longer there. He travels west with his father, Thren Felhorn, whose own thief guild has been crushed by the might of the encroaching Sun Guild. Their destination: the Stronghold, an ancient bastion of the dark paladins of Karak. Together, Haern hopes to discover a shred of something good within Thren. But as much as Haern tries to change his father, will it be Thren who ends up changing him?Killer or savior; the line can no longer remain blurred. Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power.Chronological OrderA Dance of Cloaks A Dance of Blades A Dance of Mirrors A Dance of Shadows A Dance of Ghosts A Dance of Chaos less

FEAR COMES IN THE HANDS OF PROPHETS... The final installment of the Shadowdance series finds Haern the Watcher returning to his beloved city of Veldaren, only to find it has collapsed into chaos. The Sun Guild has conquered the former thief guilds, destroying the peace Haern fought so hard to obtain. The Trifect is their next target, and Alyssa Gemcroft must reach out to whatever allies she can obtain, even if it means casting aside longtime friends... moreFEAR COMES IN THE HANDS OF PROPHETS... The final installment of the Shadowdance series finds Haern the Watcher returning to his beloved city of Veldaren, only to find it has collapsed into chaos. The Sun Guild has conquered the former thief guilds, destroying the peace Haern fought so hard to obtain. The Trifect is their next target, and Alyssa Gemcroft must reach out to whatever allies she can obtain, even if it means casting aside longtime friends. As the chaos grows, so does the power of the dark god Karak who lays siege to Veldaren. If the city falls, the world will suffer greatly. The legendary Thren Felhorn, broken, guileless, and rejected by his own son, holds the fate of the entire city in his hands. Unless Haern can stop his father, Thren will at last have the legacy of fire and destruction he has always desired.Father or son; some choices must be made in blood. less