Crystal Lattice (Crystal Cities)

The Most Powerful Magician in the World…
Can’t Do Magic.

Devon Alamort has failed his mathematics challenge for the School of Science at the Lyceum twice already. He now has one last chance to pass so that he can escape his life of crime as a gang member in the lower levels of the Crystal City of Iandolo, a life his mentor saved him from after a job for his gang leader went sour and landed him in prison. Except he’s fresh out of new ideas. In desperation, he turns to his newest—and possibly only—friend…

Lane Illea is a mage student who can’t seem to master the most basic sigil forms needed to create magic, no matter how hard she tries. Daughter of one of the Councilors that rule Iandolo, she’s not used to failure. But when Devon approaches her with a strange new way to view the magical system she’s struggling with, she discovers that it’s not her ability that’s been blocking her…but something—someone—else entirely.

As a War student at the Lyceum, Dalton Trent has wanted nothing more than to graduate and become part of the Iandolan army, where he will work to protect the mages who keep Iandolo in power. He has only a few more months left before his dreams will come true. But then he meets Devon…and suddenly the world isn’t as simple, concrete, and stable anymore.

Because the Crystal Cities aren’t all color and glamour and shimmer. The crystal has cracked, the glow dimmed. And when it finally shatters, all three will be caught up in the shards of destruction that follow: a deadly insurrection that could bring the entire delicate balance of the Crystal Cities to a crashing end!

“Magic. The politics of war. A small band of Heroes. This year's best Epic Fantasy.
A magic school, a magic war, and betrayal. This book is a nail-biting page turner!
A splendid book you simply MUST read.” --Faith Hunter, New York Times Bestselling Author of the “Jane Yellowrock” series

“Crystal Lattice is the electrifying opening to a new epic fantasy series set in a world of forgotten science, dying light, and the math-based magic that could save them all.” --Jean Marie Ward

“I’m a sucker for a smart, cynical, good-hearted underdog. Throw in a fascinating magical world and six layers of conspiracies, uprisings, and good old fashioned mage battles, and I was hooked. When does book two come out?” --Jim C. Hines

“In a world that's an inventive blend of SF and fantasy, characters we will readily relate to face intriguing, potentially deadly challenges. Fast-paced, fluent and fascinating.” --Juliet E. McKenna