by Paul Collins
First published 2002
Jelindel dek Mediesar's world collapses when Lindrak assassins slaughter her family. She flees to the crowded markets, disguising herself as a boy to escape detection. In the streets she encounters Zimak, a clever thief who knows every alley and shortcut, and Daretor, a seasoned warrior pursuing his own dangerous mission to destroy an otherworldly artifact. The three unlikely allies discover their fates intertwine around a single object: an enchanted mailshirt that fell from the stars. Six crucial links have been torn from the armor, scattering its immense power. Each individual link possesses formidable abilities, but together they would restore the mailshirt to its full, terrible potential. Racing against time, Jelindel and her companions must locate every missing piece before the greatest evil Qzar has ever known descends upon their world. Their quest leads them through a gauntlet of murder, betrayal, and deception, testing not only their skills but their trust in each other.
Genres: fiction, adventure, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Qzar
387 pages · Paperback · Puffin
Content warnings: violence