Lord Tophet: A Shadowbridge Novel

“A sparkling gem of mythic invention and wonder . . . Frost draws richly detailed human characters and embellishes his multilayered stories with intriguing creatures–benevolent sea dragons, trickster foxes, death-eating snakes and capricious gods.”

–Publishers Weekly, on Shadowbridge

Daughter of the legendary shadow-puppeteer Bardsham, Leodora has inherited her fathers skills . . . and his enemies. Together with her manager–Soter, keeper of her fathers darkest secrets, and a gifted young musician named Diverus, Leodora has traveled from span to span, her masked performances given under the stage name Jax, winning fame and fortune.

But Jaxs success may be Leodoras undoing. Years ago, following a performance by Bardsham, the vengeful god known as Lord Tophet visited a horrific punishment upon the span of Colemaigne and its citizens, a reprisal inflicted without warning or explanation. And as the genius of Jax gives rise to rumors that Bardsham has returned, Lord Tophet takes notice and dispatches a quintet of deadly killers to learn the truth behind the mask.

Now, upon the cursed span of Colemaigne, where her father achieved his greatest triumph and suffered his bitterest tragedy, Leodora is about to perform the most shocking story of all.

“Stunning . . . Frost could be on his way toward a masterpiece.”

–Locus, on Shadowbridge

“Beautifully written and realized.”

–Jeffrey Ford, author of The Empire of Ice Cream, on Shadowbridge

Lord Tophet is the completion of a two-book adventure.

"The 'infinite bridge spirals of Shadowbridge' cover a watery world full of enchanting stories, the wonderfully eerie environment for this stirring sequel to 2007's Shadowbridge. Gifted shadow puppeteer Leodora, who disguises herself as a man to perform under the name of Jax, finds herself whisked away to the nebulous afterlife called Edgeworld. When the gods return her to the town of Colemaigne, blighted by soul-devouring Lord Tophet, her presence restores it to its former glory, restoring buildings and drawing the adoration of the populace. Tophet, 'the embodiment of Chaos,' furious at finding his curse has been broken, sends his sinister Agents after 'Jax,' not realizing a mere girl is the legendary puppeteer. Frost brings the charm of an ancient storyteller and the wit of a contemporary tale-spinner to this dramatic tale, effortlessly manipulating his troupe of mortals and immortals and bringing the truths and myths of Shadowbridge equally to life. (July)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)