Sortilèges Series by Jean Dufaux, José Luis Munuera

This first volume of the ongoing Spellbound series initiates us into Dufaux and Munuera's Medeival-style fantasy land, a land brimming with witchcraft, demons, enchantments and foul-play. The whole of Middleland has been thrown into turmoil by the sudden and brutal murder of the king. The unfortunate victim's dying wish was that his daughter, Blanche, should take the throne, rather than her weak-spirited brother... moreThis first volume of the ongoing Spellbound series initiates us into Dufaux and Munuera's Medeival-style fantasy land, a land brimming with witchcraft, demons, enchantments and foul-play. The whole of Middleland has been thrown into turmoil by the sudden and brutal murder of the king. The unfortunate victim's dying wish was that his daughter, Blanche, should take the throne, rather than her weak-spirited brother. Thus Blanche finds herself catapulted into a position of power that she never expected, or even wished for. The grief-stricken young woman is forced to renounce her lover, and on top of that, the enemy's army is assembled at the country's border, poising to strike. Blanche looks like she's off to a promising start as queen of the land, but unfortunately she's no match for the various plots to topple her... at least, not yet... less

Blanche faces an overwhelming defeat on the battlefield due to the treachery of those she thought closest to her, driving her into exile. She storms onto the scene with vengeance in her heart and a new hardiness born of her disappointments. But her first priority is to save Maldoror from the clutches of the venomous Miranda... moreBlanche faces an overwhelming defeat on the battlefield due to the treachery of those she thought closest to her, driving her into exile. She storms onto the scene with vengeance in her heart and a new hardiness born of her disappointments. But her first priority is to save Maldoror from the clutches of the venomous Miranda. This cunning sorceress is cultivating a dangerous collaboration with Maldoror's pernicious little sister, who is desperately trying to keep her brother away from the World Below so that she can maintain her throne. Things are looking pretty dire for the outcast lovers, in fact, so dire, that Blanche ends up doing the unthinkable... less

The queen is dead. Killed by Blanche, her own daughter, driven to extreme measures by the bitterness of treachery. The devious sorceress Miranda is still fiercely lusting after Blanche’s lover, Prince Maldoror of the World Below. The sly prince uses the witch’s desire to his advantage, striking a sordid deal with her to help Blanche in her campaign to win back the throne of Middleland that is rightfully hers. Between them, they manage to summon a formidable fighting force unlike any other…

There is celebration throughout the realm of Middleland! The people have everything they could possibly need to be happy: Blanche, their queen, is back, the invader is vanquished and there is peace throughout the land. But this idyllic epoch won't last. Power, that indefinable poison, begins little by little to corrupt Blanche's soul. What's more, her feelings for Maldoror, the Lord of the World Below, will soon give way to an indifference he'd never have thought her capable of.. moreThere is celebration throughout the realm of Middleland! The people have everything they could possibly need to be happy: Blanche, their queen, is back, the invader is vanquished and there is peace throughout the land. But this idyllic epoch won't last. Power, that indefinable poison, begins little by little to corrupt Blanche's soul. What's more, her feelings for Maldoror, the Lord of the World Below, will soon give way to an indifference he'd never have thought her capable of... Because love is no match for the ever powerful grip of power... less