Teresa Edgerton's Blog: Confessions of an Ink-Stained Wretch - Posts Tagged "goblins"
The Queen's Necklace
HarperCollins recently surprised me by reprinting my novel The Queen's Necklace, out of print for many years. Apparently they have decided it is time to introduce this story to a new generation of readers -- and I agree.
For those interested, herewith a description of the book from some old publicity materials (and a few blurbs to further pique your interest):
The Queen's Necklace is a standalone novel, an epic tale which begins with the discovery of a lost princess and an ancient artifact, and proceeds through duels, chases, intrigues, enchantments, and elopements, introducing a remarkable cast of adventurers, magicians, courtesans, scholars, and spies.
Once upon a time, in the bad old times, when Men were ragged and humble, dirty and ignorant, a race of beautiful Goblins ruled the world. The Maglore built great cities: gorgeous, decadent, and perilous. They created dainty jeweled devices, magical "philosophic engines," on which their power and their Empire depended.
But there came a time when Men grew restless, when they began to see the possibility of something more than hard labor and ignorance. They cast off their chains and took arms against the Goblin races. Armed with fire and salt, they carried the battle against the Maglore into every city, town, and village, vowing they would not be satisfied with anything less than total extermination of their former masters.
They shattered the Empire, reconfigured the map, and created a new civilization, a world "perfected," destined to last (or so they thought) for a thousand thousand years.
A millenium has passed. Each small kingdom depends on one of the "Goblin Jewels," those apparently frivolous devices, nevertheless powerful enough to maintain the pumps and other machinery in the vast mines of Mountfalcon, prevent volcanoes from erupting in Winterscar, and the sea from flooding low-lying cities in Rijxland. Men have grown complacent, and the world is stagnating.
Which is just as remnants of the Maglore race (not extinct after all) would wish it. For it is time, they have decided, to destroy the kingdoms of Men and reclaim their rightful sovereignty. Their plan includes the seduction of a king and a plot to steal back the jewels.
Wilrowan Blackheart, Captain of the Queen's Guard, has been tasked with recovering the Mountfalcon Jewel. Gradually he uncovers a conspiracy that extends far beyond the borders of Mountfalcon, and takes him on an amazing journey through a baroque world of dying cities, crumbling palaces, and mysterious ruins. But his search may have devastating personal consequences. Because what Will doesn't know is that another has been sent on the same journey, the only woman he has ever loved and can never possess.
"Edgerton's wit, attention to detail, and lush prose are a delight, nor does she stint on feats of derring-do, mystery, magic, intrigue, and romance. I can't recommend The Queen's Necklace highly enough!" — Kate Elliott
"An exciting story set in a vividly imagined world and elegantly told." — Poul and Karen Anderson
"Beautifully crafted and utterly engrossing ... the most original and intriguing work of fantasy I've read in a long, long time." — Katherine Kerr
"Epic in scope and imagination, covering centuries and miles with equal deftness ... Long Live The Queen's Necklace!" — Rosemary Edghill
(As I write this, amazon.com is playing now-you-see-it-now-you-don't with the reprint. You might find it there if you are lucky and go searching for it at the right moment. It is, however, available through Barnes and Noble, and The Book Depository. An ebook is in the works, and allegedly a mass market paperback. More news on those as I have it.)
For those interested, herewith a description of the book from some old publicity materials (and a few blurbs to further pique your interest):
The Queen's Necklace is a standalone novel, an epic tale which begins with the discovery of a lost princess and an ancient artifact, and proceeds through duels, chases, intrigues, enchantments, and elopements, introducing a remarkable cast of adventurers, magicians, courtesans, scholars, and spies.
Once upon a time, in the bad old times, when Men were ragged and humble, dirty and ignorant, a race of beautiful Goblins ruled the world. The Maglore built great cities: gorgeous, decadent, and perilous. They created dainty jeweled devices, magical "philosophic engines," on which their power and their Empire depended.
But there came a time when Men grew restless, when they began to see the possibility of something more than hard labor and ignorance. They cast off their chains and took arms against the Goblin races. Armed with fire and salt, they carried the battle against the Maglore into every city, town, and village, vowing they would not be satisfied with anything less than total extermination of their former masters.
They shattered the Empire, reconfigured the map, and created a new civilization, a world "perfected," destined to last (or so they thought) for a thousand thousand years.
A millenium has passed. Each small kingdom depends on one of the "Goblin Jewels," those apparently frivolous devices, nevertheless powerful enough to maintain the pumps and other machinery in the vast mines of Mountfalcon, prevent volcanoes from erupting in Winterscar, and the sea from flooding low-lying cities in Rijxland. Men have grown complacent, and the world is stagnating.
Which is just as remnants of the Maglore race (not extinct after all) would wish it. For it is time, they have decided, to destroy the kingdoms of Men and reclaim their rightful sovereignty. Their plan includes the seduction of a king and a plot to steal back the jewels.
Wilrowan Blackheart, Captain of the Queen's Guard, has been tasked with recovering the Mountfalcon Jewel. Gradually he uncovers a conspiracy that extends far beyond the borders of Mountfalcon, and takes him on an amazing journey through a baroque world of dying cities, crumbling palaces, and mysterious ruins. But his search may have devastating personal consequences. Because what Will doesn't know is that another has been sent on the same journey, the only woman he has ever loved and can never possess.
"Edgerton's wit, attention to detail, and lush prose are a delight, nor does she stint on feats of derring-do, mystery, magic, intrigue, and romance. I can't recommend The Queen's Necklace highly enough!" — Kate Elliott
"An exciting story set in a vividly imagined world and elegantly told." — Poul and Karen Anderson
"Beautifully crafted and utterly engrossing ... the most original and intriguing work of fantasy I've read in a long, long time." — Katherine Kerr
"Epic in scope and imagination, covering centuries and miles with equal deftness ... Long Live The Queen's Necklace!" — Rosemary Edghill
(As I write this, amazon.com is playing now-you-see-it-now-you-don't with the reprint. You might find it there if you are lucky and go searching for it at the right moment. It is, however, available through Barnes and Noble, and The Book Depository. An ebook is in the works, and allegedly a mass market paperback. More news on those as I have it.)
Confessions of an Ink-Stained Wretch
Adventures in reading, writing, being published, and self-publishing.
- Teresa Edgerton's profile
- 85 followers
