The Infernus Gate

Ryan doesn’t pull any punches in the wholly satisfying conclusion to the Seven Swords series (following The Road of Storms). Guyime, now known as the Ravager King for all the blood on his hands, leads a motley fellowship, which includes a druid, a scholar, and a beastmaster. The septet, each armed with a sword possessed by a demon that gives them a different special power, are on a quest to reach a portal in time to stop a malevolent force known as the Desecrator from unleashing a flood of demons that will enable him to take over the world. Their goal is complicated by the spirit inhabiting one of their weapons, who may pose an even bigger threat than the Desecrator. Worse, as they near the gate between worlds, a series of traps targeting each quester’s Achilles heel forces terrible choices all around. Ryan’s crisp prose effortlessly immerses readers in this dark world as he expertly pays off on choices made in previous installments. This sticks the landing. (Sept.)