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From back of book: Long ago was the "Big Kill," a time when the Slaughterers walked the earth unseen, killing, departing, repeatedly returning to kill again. Since then mountains have risen, deserts have fallen, the last of humankind has scattered, and the great waters rising are changing the world. In the west, the people of Norland live in small kingdoms, unaware that a hideous evil from ages past has been revived. Powers are being used. Curses are being laid...and the waters rise as never before.

As forests drown, swamps become lakes, and roads disappear, houses--whole towns--are hitched to teams of oxen and moved upward. Misery is compunded when the Sea King declares war. No ships may sail on the new, growing oceans and refugees from sunken islands continue to arrive.

And in Norland a princess fights death, awaiting the one who can save not her, but perhaps humanity. She has but one fearful young girl to follow her agonized commands. And there is a soul carrier from Tingawa across the western sea where the waters rising has long been expected. Long enough for plans to be made that are so strange, so weirdly wonderful that they are instantly dismissed; plans so possible of success that an ancient killer must be awakened to sop their fullfillment.

(Source: Eos)