KINGDOMS OF THE NIGHT

Third in the Far Kingdoms fantasy series (The Warrior's Tale, 1994, etc.). The previous hero, Amalric Antero, has grown prematurely old and weary in his adventuresome quests to bring prosperity to the city of Orissa. But now a young woman, Janela, claims to be the granddaughter of Amalric's former companion, the sorcerer Janos Greycloak. Janela announces that she alone knows the whereabouts of the real Far Kingdoms. Unable to resist a challenge, Amalric journeys with her to Tyrenia, the Kingdoms of the Night, whose well-meaning but ineffectual ruler, Prince Solaros, is beset by demons ruled by the dreadful King Ba'land; the demons threaten not only Tyrenia but the entire world. Eventually, Amalric and Janela will shrug off their bodies to go traveling on the psychic plane. Overlong but agreeable fare for series fans.