AURORA AWARD WINNER from a multi-award winning author. The Heroka are an ancient race of shape shifters, drawing their powers and vitality from their animal totems. Gwyn Blaidd, a Heroka of the wolf totem, has been a recluse ever since a deadly battle years ago with the Tainchel, the covert government agency that hunts the Heroka--a battle that cost him the only woman he ever loved. But when Gwyn is asked by the head of the Heroka to stop an old friend from killing a powerful logging baron, it begins a chain of events that will force Gwyn to again confront the Tainchel--and his own dark past. “...a vivid and wonderfully written tale about Native Canadian spirits, in the vein of Thomas King.” —Challenging Destiny "The characters are intriguing and the story beguiling. I would like to read more about these characters." —SF Crowsnest Book Reviews "...an [example of] the author’s ability to place the possible and impossible side by side to excellent effect in an action packed story." — Hellnotes "... an adventurous tale that's propelled by character drama ... If this was a Hollywood movie, this would be your blockbuster film, complete with adrenaline-pumping action, expensive special effects, and even a sex scene or two to lure in a mainstream audience." —Speculative Fiction Reviews "...draws on North American Indian myths, particularly the idea of shapeshifters... Smith once more creates a credible and sympathetic protagonist." —The Fix “...a shape-changer story interweaving First Nations and Celtic elements, in a manner reminiscent of Charles de Lint.” —The International Review of Science Fiction ABOUT THE AUTHOR Douglas Smith is a five-time award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.” His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). His other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections Borderlanz, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer’s guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction. Published in 28 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award, most recently for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He’s also been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC’s Bookies Award, Canada’s juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France’s juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane. His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, Cicada, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, and The Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction (vol.2). Doug lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. “The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner “A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner “His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner “Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda, multi-award-winning author and editor
