by Julian May
First published 1990
The Archimage Binah watches her magical powers fade as invaders from Labornok storm into the peaceful realm of Ruwenda. She commands the three royal sisters to flee their burning palace and seek out ancient talismans that hold their only hope of salvation. Each princess receives the blessing of the Black Trillium, the mystical flower that serves as their royal emblem and source of forgotten magic. The sisters scatter across the land on separate quests, knowing they must recover three powerful artifacts and reunite them to drive out their enemies. Dark sorcery aids the Labornoki forces, making their mission desperate. Each sister faces her own trials and discovers hidden strengths as she searches for her assigned talisman. Their kingdom's survival depends not only on finding these magical objects but on the personal growth each princess achieves during her solitary journey.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, epic-fantasy, high-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Ruwenda, Labornok
Hardcover · Doubleday