From Romine’s Deep Tower to the Grand Temple in Ithare, from the Murky Mountains to the Warrior’s Vale, the heirs continue their desperate quest—whose outcome will decide the fate of the Upper Kingdoms. Will they have to recklessly desecrate one of the gods’ most jealously guarded secrets? Every discovery condemns them.Armies gather, conspirators reveal themselves, schemes are unveiled. The heirs’ time is short.Unraveling the mysteries of Nol and the emissaries will bring the heirs behind the Curtain, deep into the Eastern Kingdoms. Only there, if they can survive the most dangerous of the guardians, will they find what really hides in the shadow of the ancients.About the AuthorBorn in 1970, Pierre Grimbert has been a dedicated writer for fifteen years. His series the Secret of Ji is a great success that has been translated into several languages. His fluid and lively style can also be found in the Saga of Gonelore. With nearly thirty novels published, for adults and youths, Pierre Grimbert is an essential author of contemporary fantasy. Discover more at www.pierregrimbert.com.

“In a fantasy world containing magicans, gods, and mortals, telepathic communication with animals doesn’t seem too far-fetched. In this new spin on epic fantasy, Pierre Grimbert tackles a world beset with shadowy thieves and mystical empires.” - Tor.com Elemental magic courses through the veins of vast empires. The Grand Guild oversees its network of dark brotherhoods. In the Known World, gods and goddesses are as tangible as the people who worship them. Yet in this land rich in legend and wonder, there exists a mystery beyond all others: the secret of Ji.After catching a fleeting glimpse of another world, the last heirs of the Ji emissaries search for a century-old journal that promises to unravel the world’s greatest enigma. With the fate of civilization hanging in the balance and a tireless, terrifying figure clad in black armor in pursuit, our unlikely band of heroes must harness powers they never thought possible — and enlist the help of the gods — before the long shadow of darkness settles over the Known World forever.

From France’s most celebrated author of fantasy. The Known World is a sprawling region ruled by mortals, protected by gods, and plied by magicians and warriors, merchants and beggars, royals and scoundrels. Here, those with the gift of the Erjak share a psychic bond with animals; a far-reaching fraternity unites criminals of every persuasion in a vast army of villainy; and upon the mighty river Alt, the dead will one day sail seeking vengeance on the enemies of their descendants. But for all the Known World’s wonders, splendors, and terrors, what has endured most powerfully is the strange legacy of Ji. Emissaries from every nation—the grand Goranese Empire; desolate, frozen Arkary; cosmopolitan Lorelia; and beyond—followed an enigmatic summons into the unknown. Some never returned; others were never the same. Each successive generation has guarded the profound truth and held sacred the legendary event. But now, the very last of them—and the wisdom they possess—are threatened. The time has come to fight for ultimate enlightenment…or fall to infinite darkness. The first book in the highly acclaimed Ji series, available for the first time in English.