“Outstanding . . . A lyrical grace and deep appreciation of camaraderie reminiscent of Diane Duane at her best . . . [A] superior fantasy series.”—
Publishers Weekly

“Lyrical and entertaining fantasy . . . Peopled by well-drawn characters that readers can really bond with . . . Abounds with subtle romance and high-spirited adventure. Ideal for readers who like a little romance with their fantasy.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

“Shinn’s second trip to Gillengaria delights . . . Shinn seems to have an endless ability to create plausible worlds for her stories. With a blend of adventure and romance, they almost seem based on the history of a remote time rather than a place invented in her imagination. Shinn . . . always manages to surprise me, without making me feel cheated that my expectations have been thwarted. The ability to maintain that balance between familiarity and freshness should keep her readership growing.”—
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“A compelling tale.”—
Locus

“Set in a world of noble Houses, shape-shifting mystics, and dexterous swordsmen, the sequel to
Mystic and Rider
further develops Shinn’s new series characters and introduces new plot elements. Shinn provides a wealth of action and a balanced cast of genuinely heroic and admirable characters.”

—
Library Journal

“Shinn is a strong literary writer [and] especially good at writing realistic characters. Readers who enjoy romance and strong characterization will enjoy this book and the Twelve Houses series.”
—SFRevu

“A delightful tale . . . action-packed . . . Epic fantasy readers will appreciate Sharon Shinn’s stupendous story.”

—
The Best Reviews

Praise for
Mystic and Rider

“Engaging . . . An enjoyable yarn with characters who leave you wanting more.”—
Locus

“Shinn’s novels are always surprising . . . [She] breathes life into the old tropes and spins off in new directions . . . Shinn is an engaging storyteller who moves believable characters through a fascinating landscape and interesting adventures [and] manages to do it with deep insights that make us reach into our own souls and wonder: If we were placed in the world of these characters, what would we do, and what would we believe in?”—
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“
Mystic and Rider
. . . is that rarity, the opening book of a series that stands solidly as a read-alone novel. The resolution is strong enough that the reader is satisfied, and yet the potential for more left me looking forward to the next volume. Well-developed and engaging characters, an intriguing plot, plenty of action, and unforeseen twists make
Mystic and Rider
a great book.”—Robin Hobb, author of
Fool’s Fate

“Strong, charismatic male and female protagonists make this an excellent choice for most fantasy collections.”

—
Library Journal

“Clean, elegant prose . . . Shinn gives us an easy, absorbing, high-quality read.”—
Booklist

“Tailor-made for the growing audience of fantasy fans who like a good juicy romance . . . Spellbinding characterizations . . . A rich beginning.”—
Publishers Weekly

“Shinn’s most successful book.”—
SFRevu

“Shinn excels at strong characterization and enthralling stories, and this first in a new series is no exception. Primary and secondary characters alike jump off the page, and the standard quest fantasy is transformed into a journey of personal discovery.” —
Romantic Times

“Definitely fun.”—
Contra Costa Times

More praise for Sharon Shinn and her novels

“The most promising and original writer of fantasy to come along since Robin McKinley.”

—Peter S. Beagle, author of
The Last Unicorn

“Taut, inventive, often mesmerizing.”—
Kirkus Reviews

“It doesn’t get much better than [this]—interesting characters, an intriguing mystery, a believable love story, and a satisfying ending.”—
Starlog

“Smoothly written. Shinn has a talent for creating vivid, sympathetic characters. Nuanced and intelligent. A thoroughly entertaining reading experience.”—
SF Site

“A delightful world to escape into.”—
Locus

“A solid read.”—
Booklist

“Rich with texture and diversity, and genuine characters.”

—Anne McCaffrey, author of
Dragon’s Fire

“Romantic . . . delightful. I’m eagerly awaiting her next novel.”

—
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

“Warm and triumphant.”—
Publishers Weekly

“Inventive and compelling.”—
Library Journal

Other Ace books by Sharon Shinn

MYSTIC AND RIDER

THE THIRTEENTH HOUSE

DARK MOON DEFENDER

ARCHANGEL

JOVAH’S ANGEL
THE ALLELUIA FILES

ANGELICA

ANGEL-SEEKER

WRAPT IN CRYSTAL

THE SHAPE-CHANGER’S WIFE
HEART OF GOLD

SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN

JENNA STARBORN

Viking / Firebird books by Sharon Shinn

THE SAFE-KEEPER’S SECRET
THE TRUTH-TELLER’S TALE
THE DREAM-MAKER’S MAGIC

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

THE THIRTEENTH HOUSE

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

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eISBN : 978-1-440-68387-9

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