A luminary in SF literature, Robin Hobb continues her marvelous Soldier Son trilogy with part two, Forest Mage. Nevare Burvelle has survived major combat and is making a quick recovery from a disease plaguing his fellows in the King's army. He also believes he is free from the Speck magic that held him under its sway. Now traveling home to rendezvous with his fiancEe, Nevare suffers haunting visions and soon realizes that malicious magic still resides...

In ancient Japan, Himiko, the privileged daughter of her clan's leader, fights the constraints and expectations imposed on young women and finds her own path, which includes secret shaman lessons.

Follows Golden Sun, an Appaloosa horse, through several seasons as Little Turtle, a Nez Perce boy, raises and trains him then takes him along on a vision quest in hopes of saving his friend Pale Moon from serious illness.

Yoh, a shaman, meaning he has the ability to channel spirits, is training to compete in the "Shaman Fight in Tokyo," a tournament held every 500 years to see who will become the Shaman King and shape humanity's future.