Found: Fantasy Coming-of-Age Story
Original topic subject: Fantasy Coming-of-Age Story
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1GoldenAppleSK
I'm seeking a series of fantasy books that I read in the early 2000s.
At the time, I believe the series was a trilogy, with the third book recently released - sometime around 2002-2003, though I could be off by a few years. It could have been as late as 2006-2007.
There was also a prequel that had been released before the trilogy finished.
The trilogy revolved around a group of young adults who were just undergoing their society's rites of passage into adulthood. I believe that when they were accepted as adults, they received masks (a half mask that covered the upper half of their face) that adults always wore in public. They then end up on an adventure where they have to face a big bad and the big bad's lieutenants, who were mostly fallen former heroes.
The fall of those former heroes was outlined in the prequel book, that followed those heroes as they faced off against the big bad and one by one were corrupted.
They weren't high fantasy as I recall, but close to it, heavy in the mysticism department. The trilogy spanned a fairly world spanning war.
Nowadays I would call it a YA book, though I don't think it was considered that back then.
I know it isn't much to go on, and appreciate any help anyone can give!
At the time, I believe the series was a trilogy, with the third book recently released - sometime around 2002-2003, though I could be off by a few years. It could have been as late as 2006-2007.
There was also a prequel that had been released before the trilogy finished.
The trilogy revolved around a group of young adults who were just undergoing their society's rites of passage into adulthood. I believe that when they were accepted as adults, they received masks (a half mask that covered the upper half of their face) that adults always wore in public. They then end up on an adventure where they have to face a big bad and the big bad's lieutenants, who were mostly fallen former heroes.
The fall of those former heroes was outlined in the prequel book, that followed those heroes as they faced off against the big bad and one by one were corrupted.
They weren't high fantasy as I recall, but close to it, heavy in the mysticism department. The trilogy spanned a fairly world spanning war.
Nowadays I would call it a YA book, though I don't think it was considered that back then.
I know it isn't much to go on, and appreciate any help anyone can give!
2saskia17
Neither of these fit all the particulars, but the masks bring to mind The Stone Dance of the Chameleon series by Ricardo Pinto, or the more recent Masks of Aygrima by E. C. Blake starting with Masks.
3GoldenAppleSK
Thanks for the suggestions! It is neither, though Stone Dance is the right timeframe.
An additional few pieces of info:
I *think* one of the books or characters had Crow as part of the name.
The third book in the trilogy might have had 'kingdom' as part of the name and a castle on the cover. I'm not 100% sure I'm remembering that correctly though.
The Ranger's Apprentice series of stories has some similarities to the books I'm looking for, but isn't the right one.
An additional few pieces of info:
I *think* one of the books or characters had Crow as part of the name.
The third book in the trilogy might have had 'kingdom' as part of the name and a castle on the cover. I'm not 100% sure I'm remembering that correctly though.
The Ranger's Apprentice series of stories has some similarities to the books I'm looking for, but isn't the right one.
4GoldenAppleSK
bump! Still hoping to find this series.
5eclbates
Fortress Draconis by Michael Stackpole sounds right. There's a character named Kedyn's Crow. Series has 3 books and a prequel.
edit: The summary of Fortress Draconis doesn't talk about masks, but the prequel The Dark Glory War mentions them.
edit: The summary of Fortress Draconis doesn't talk about masks, but the prequel The Dark Glory War mentions them.
6BrainFireBob
This is definitely The DragonCrown Cycle and its prequel, The Dark Glory War.
The masks were an Oriosan thing, along with several related kingdoms. Tarrant Hawkins, main character of the prequel and major supporting character in the remainder, is Oriosan.
The masks were an Oriosan thing, along with several related kingdoms. Tarrant Hawkins, main character of the prequel and major supporting character in the remainder, is Oriosan.
7GoldenAppleSK
This is absolutely correct! The DragonCrown Cycle and Dark Glory War. Thank you SO MUCH!
