The Prize in the Game
Jo Walton
Tor Books, 12/2002
ISBN:0765302632
When a friendly competition leads to the death of a beloved horse and incurs the wrath of the
Horse Goddess, the kingdoms of the island of Tir Isarnagiri are doomed to suffer. As the
goddess's curse chases them down the years, four friends destined for kingship-Conal, Emer,
Darag, and Ferdia-are forced into conflict as their countries build towards war.
Matters are complicated when Emer and Conal fall in love and dream of escaping together from
the machinations of their respective families. But Conal and Ferdia are rivals for the High
Kingship of the island, and Conal cannot simply leave. The contest between them will lead to a
visionary quest on a mountain sacred to the gods-and terrifying to men.
Yet Emer faces an even greater struggle. For when war finally comes, Emer has two choices:
perform her duty to the homeland to which she owes everything, or protect the one she loves
and be branded a traitor forever. The path she takes will become the stuff of legend and forever
alter the destiny of Tir Isarnagiri. Set in the world of Jo Walton's previous novels, The King's
Peace and The King's Name, this book takes us to a shining era of dark powers, legendary
heroes, and passionate loves-all of them ruled by the hand of Fate.
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