Rise of a Hero (The Farsala Trilogy)
Read Rise of a Hero (The Farsala Trilogy) Online
Authors: Hilari Bell
Praise for
THE FARSALA TRILOGY BOOK 1:
F
ALL OF A KINGDOM
(previously published under the title
The Book of Sorahb: Flame
)
Also by Hilari Bell
“[In] this richly textured story . . . class and family issues, and moral differences between societies, are interwoven so well with adventure and archetypal resonance that depth arrives unannounced.”
—
Kirkus Reviews
, starred review
“Fantasy lovers . . . will be left waiting breathlessly to discover the fate of Farsala. . . .”
—
School Library Journal
, starred review
“A rousing start to a new series. . . . Once again Bell proves a master at crafting distinctive societies and characters.”
—
Booklist
, starred review
“Will leave readers begging for more.”
—
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“An amazing tale of adventure, fear, magic, conquest, and rebellion!”
—Tamora Pierce
THE FARSALA TRILOGY BOOK 2:
R
ISE OF A HERO
“A dynamic followup to
Fall of a Kingdom
. . . . This is a sequel that will fly off the shelf.”
—
Booklist
, starred review
“Magnificent second entry in a rich, deep series . . . top-notch storytelling with texture and complexity.”
—
Kirkus Reviews
, starred review
“A full-bodied adventure-fantasy novel.”
—
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
ONTENTS
When I tell Lisa she’s the best niece I have, she gives me a look and tells me that she’s my only niece. So this book is for Lisa, who is not only the best niece I have, but also the best niece anyone could have.
T
HUS
S
ORAHB WAS SLAIN
,
in all the power and promise of his youth, and all who knew of it grieved. And marveled too, for the God, Azura himself, had descended to earth and taken the boy from the arms of his stricken father, promising that Sorahb would be returned “. . . when Farsala most needs a warrior to lead it.”
But Time’s Wheel turned, and turned again. Decade yielded to decade, and Farsala knew no greater trouble than a few border skirmishes with the Kadeshi. Decades flowed into centuries, and the tale of Sorahb became legend, and even the legend grew dim.
Then came the army of the Hrum, the Iron Empire that had conquered half the world with small difficulty, before it reached Farsala’s borders. At first, it seemed Farsala would be much the same. Though the mighty deghans who defended the land fought fiercely, they were overcome and slain almost to a man—only a handful surviving to be taken as slaves. The Hrum knew that the peasants of Farsala were not warriors. They believed that the land was now open to them, all its wealth free for the taking, and they rejoiced.
And even among those who knew of it, none gave a moment’s thought to the ancient tale, told to wide-eyed children as the fires grew low. But they should have, for the time had come—Farsala needed a champion.
HAPTER
O
NE
