Nevare Burvelle, an innocent man framed and convicted of terrible crimes, has escaped the frontier town of Gettys and the soldiers — his former brothers-in-arms — who sentenced him to a wrongful death. Despondent and with nowhere else to turn, he reluctantly surrenders himself to the Speck magic with which he has been cursed. But the decision is not without consequence, for now Nevare is at the mercy of his Speck self: a powerful alter ego who will stop at nothing to drive the enemy Gernians away from Speck territories — and use his warrior's insight to plan a vicious and horrifying attack on those who would do him harm. But events unravel in unexpected ways, and now Nevare must bring his warring selves together to find lasting peace for himself and both his peoples.

Loyal, privileged, and brave—a soldier in the service of the King of Gernia—Nevare Burvelle survived a devastating plague of enemy sorcery, but at a terrible cost to his soul, body, and heart. Now he stands wrongly accused of unspeakable crimes, including murder, the most heinous of them all. Suddenly an outcast and a fugitive, he remains a hostage to the Speck magic that shackles him to a savage alter ego who would destroy everything Nevare holds dear. Perhaps, however, this curse that has long abused him can be used by him instead—a mighty weapon he can learn to wield for his own purposes. But down what perilous road will this desperate new quest lead him? And what will be the ultimate incarnation of Nevare Burvelle?

Review
"Haunting . . . [P]rovides a stunning resolution to this epic fantasy.“ - Publishers Weekly”Hobb has a positive genius for using fantasy themes to set up ethical conflicts . . . There are no easy victories, no all-conquering forces on either side in Hobb's work, and both sides are sufficiently well characterized in their vivid settings that there are very few straw men in evidence." - Booklist (starred review)“Nevare's journey through war and peace is both timeless and timely.” - Library Journal

Robin Hobb was born in California but grew up in Alaska,

Robin Hobb was born in California but grew up in Alaska, where she learned to love the forest and the wilderness. Sh where she learned to love the forest and the wilderness. She has lived most of her life in the Pacific Northwest and cue has lived most of her life in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Tacoma, Washington. She is the author of rrently resides in Tacoma, Washington. She is the author of the Rain Wilds Chronicles, the Farseer Trilogy, the Liveshipthe Rain Wilds Chronicles, the Farseer Trilogy, the Liveship Tr