In the Shadow of Kings (A Time of Dragons: Book 2)

In the Shadow of Kings is the second book in Philip C. Quaintrell's A Time of Dragons series. The story follows Joran, who has been brought to the ancient doors of Drakanan to become a Dragon Rider and usher in a new age of heroes. He stands between two worlds, serving as both saviour and destroyer to each. Joran carries the weight of ten thousand lives as a great war approaches. The Skaramangians, working across past and present, pull the strings of conflict to conceal their dark purposes. They work toward a future that will reset the world, one in which evil will be made manifest. According to their beliefs, no power in all of Verda can prevent this. As dragons and aegres fall in battle, only one person can turn the tide and end the war. Those who would be heroes must take a perilous road to prepare for the inevitable conflict ahead—a road not all of them will survive.