{"product_id":"the-initiate-9781982125332","title":"The Initiate","description":"\u003cb\u003eA SECRET ORDER OF SORCERERS RULES THE WORLD--ONE MAN HAS VOWED TO DESTROY THEM\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE SORCERERS WHO RULE THE WORLD ARE GOING DOWN  \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e If people who can work magic are so powerful, why don't they rule the world? Well, as it happens, they do. One man wants to change that. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The Apkallu are masters of magic. They rule the world from the shadows, using mind control and deadly monsters to eliminate any threat to their power. Sam Arquero lost his family to a demon sent by an Apkallu. He knew that nobody would believe the truth, but now an old man offers Sam the chance to find out who is responsible and bring down the Apkallu forever. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Under a new identity, Sam must learn the secrets of magic, infiltrate the Apkallu, and walk a razor's edge of daring as he attempts to destroy the Apkallu leaders and avoid the supernatural detectives on his trail. But Sam's greatest challenge perhaps lies within--to avoid becoming like the hated Apkallu himself  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eAbout \u003ci\u003eThe Initiate: \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCambias' energetic prose and grim take of the idea of a secret wizard community should please most urban fantasy readers.--\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eArkad's World\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Far-flung adventure . . . Cambias offers up an entertaining coming-of-age novel filled with action and surprises. His aliens are suitably non-human in mannerisms, attitudes, and objectives, and his worldbuilding suggests a vast universe ready for further exploration. Readers . . . will find this hits the spot.\"--\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \". . . a classic quest story, a well-paced series of encounters with different folk along the way, building momentum toward a final confrontation with Arkad's past. . .  with] a delicious twist to the end.\"--\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Cambias has achieved a feat of world-building: an expansive, believable setting with fascinating aliens, compelling mysteries, and a rich sense of history.\"--\u003ci\u003eBookpage\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Drop a teenage boy into a distant planet chock full of colorful aliens--with troubles all their own. Stir, flavor, apply heat. A tour de force in the field, and great, quick fun.\"--Gregory Benford \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003ePraise for the work of James L. Cambias: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Beautifully written, with a story that captures the imagination the way SF should.\"--\u003ci\u003eBooklist, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"An engaging nail-biter that is exciting, fun and a satisfying read.\"--\u003ci\u003eT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003ehe Qwillery\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ''An impressive debut by a gifted writer.''--\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly, \u003c\/i\u003e starred review \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ''An exceptionally thoughtful, searching and intriguing debut.''--\u003ci\u003eKirkus, \u003c\/i\u003e starred review \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"James Cambias will be one of the century's major names in hard science fiction.''--Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eRed Planet Blues\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Fast-paced, pure quill hard science fiction. . . . Cambias delivers adroit plot pivots that keep the suspense coming.''--Gregory Benford, Nebula Award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eTimescape\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Baen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/30\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781982125332\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 368","brand":"James L. Cambias","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39329896595637,"sku":"9781982125332","price":7.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_da0e6a96-7569-4d16-a2d3-40300659a2cb.jpg?v=1614692913","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-initiate-9781982125332","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}