The Lord Jester's Legacy Series by E.M. Prazeman

When Mark Seaton's father disappears and his mother is murdered, he becomes a pawn in a deadly world of nobles, masked courtiers, and mysterious beings that whisper in his mind. The only way a pawn can survive is to gain position and power. The only way Mark Seaton can be free, is to become a player... moreWhen Mark Seaton's father disappears and his mother is murdered, he becomes a pawn in a deadly world of nobles, masked courtiers, and mysterious beings that whisper in his mind. The only way a pawn can survive is to gain position and power. The only way Mark Seaton can be free, is to become a player. "Prazeman has crafted a magnificent, credible fantasy where noble lords symbiotically bond with masked jesters whose machinations and assassinations further their ambitions without imperiling their souls. She does a uniquely wonderful job of honoring her readers' intelligence, parsing out little hints and nibbles, barely enough information to figure out what is going on as her hero navigates the intrigue. The result is a swift and satisfying read that leaves us begging for a sequel. Whole-heartedly recommended!" – Lawrence Kane, ForeWord Magazine "Prazeman's jesters dance fine lines through a world of byzantine politics. Real, fallible people lie behind complex masks. The subtle weave of influences, and the dangers they produce, will keep readers hooked." – Sara Mueller, Endeavor Award Committee Member "The world of MASKS is a fantasy world unlike any other I've encountered, rich with mystery, intrigue, and danger, and its hero Mark is complex and unusual – a young man trying to solve the riddle of his parents' deaths while concealing dangerous secrets of his own. No one in this book is exactly what they seem, Mark least of all. We all have our masks, and MASKS lifts the façades of its characters and its world to expose the ambiguous truths behind them." – David Levine, Hugo Award Winning Author less

A dying man's heart can still be broken. His body ravaged by a rare poison, Mark Seaton needs to uncover the conspiracy that threatens his fledgling nation before it's too late. To do so, he must return to the city he fled, and face the men who may have been responsible for his mother's death and his father's disappearance... moreA dying man's heart can still be broken. His body ravaged by a rare poison, Mark Seaton needs to uncover the conspiracy that threatens his fledgling nation before it's too late. To do so, he must return to the city he fled, and face the men who may have been responsible for his mother's death and his father's disappearance. In a world of intrigue, poison, and pistols-at-dawn, where magic is bound to masks and men's souls are bound together by arcane rites, a dying man struggles to save his country. There are many things more precious than life to lose. "In Confidante, Book Two of the Lord Jester's Legacy, Prazeman demonstrates mastery of the trade yet again. Each character is magnificently realized and flawlessly written. Take a multifarious plot, spice liberally with intrigue, add a dash of delightful pacing, and you have a formula for a satisfying and unforgettable read." – Lawrence Kane, ForeWord Magazine less

For the love of his nation, he will go to war.For the love of a man, he will defy death.For the love of freedom, he will destroy the connection between hell and earth, and sacrifice all he has ever known."I've read thousands of books, most of which were momentarily entertaining but ultimately forgettable. There's a treasured handful, however, that meant a whole lot more, ones I not only vividly remember but have prized enough to read more than once... moreFor the love of his nation, he will go to war.For the love of a man, he will defy death.For the love of freedom, he will destroy the connection between hell and earth, and sacrifice all he has ever known."I've read thousands of books, most of which were momentarily entertaining but ultimately forgettable. There's a treasured handful, however, that meant a whole lot more, ones I not only vividly remember but have prized enough to read more than once. Each book in "The Lord Jester's Legacy" is brilliant, imaginative, and unforgettable, standing amongst the best fantasy epics I've read; collectively the series is nothing short of phenomenal. With melancholy I close the final page of "Innocence & Silence, " knowing that the trilogy is finally done, yet cheerfully look forward to reading the series again. And anything else in this verse that Prazeman publishes in the future ... she's really "that" good." - Lawrence Kane, ForeWord Magazine less