Wynter Moorehawke travels alone and unprotected in bandit-infested forests, searching for the rebel Prince Alberon. But many enemies are lurking in the shadows. It seems that every tyrant and zealot who has ever threatened the Kingdom is sending emissaries to meet Alberon. Wynter becomes increasingly nervous of the prince’s intentions.

She is overjoyed when Razi and Christopher re-appear, but where old friends go, old enemies soon follow and Wynter finds herself confronted with the infamous Wolves – the Loups-Garous. It is to Christopher’s adopted people, the Merron, that Wynter and Razi must now turn for sanctuary. But the Merron have sided with their mortal enemy, Marguerite Shirken. What is behind these strange alliances and is Alberon at the centre of it all?

'Irish author Celine Kiernan is back with Book 2 of her excellent Moorehawke trilogy, The Crowded Shadows, a cracking theatrical historical fantasy set in medieval Europe'

'a satisfying read'

'Ireland’s answer to J.K. Rowling … at the forefront of Irish fantasy writing'

'This is a book to be read, reread and treasured'

'The Crowded Shadows more than fulfills the promise of The Poison Throne and the completed trilogy is likely to stand with the best of this genre … richly imagined cultures and dense, detailed style make her parallel Europe a compelling and utterly convin

'excellent'

'powerful, page-turning sequel'

'compelling and complex, romantic and suspenseful, populated by memorable characters and intricately detailed, this impressive middle volume will leave readers demanding the conclusion'

'Kiernan’s fantastic sequel to The Poison Throne continues its alternate history of medieval Europe at a thrilling pace. The growth of its three main characters is steady and realistic, the conflicts that face them are brutal and appropriate. Kiernan’s au

'a completely different book from the one I was expecting and a justifiable criticism might be that the central quest barely seems to have advanced much over the hundreds of pages - but when a diversion can be this enjoyable and stimulating and also flesh

'Superb follow up to The Poison Throne surpasses the excellent original as the journey of the central trio gets sidetracked; the brilliant character development is paired with some thought provoking points on different cultures'

'Extremely high recommendation, and book three is now pretty much top of my personal 'Most Wanted' list'