Search Worlds Without End

Murdoc Jern's father, an interstellar gem trader, was murdered by outlaw competitors and left behind an odd ring, large enough to fit over the finger of a space suit. With his companion Eet, a strange feline mutant with phenomenal mental powers, he soon discovered that the stone in the ring was actually a Zero Stone--an alien device left behind by an ancient vanished race--and it was the key to powers beyond human imagination.

Murdoc and Eet had to solve the secret of the Zero Stone, and very quickly, because very greedy and dangerous people wanted that ring, and wouldn't hesitate at a second murder to obtain it.

Publisher's Note: Search for the Star Stones was originally published in parts as The Zero Stone and its sequel Uncharted Stars. This is the first time both novels have appeared in one volume.

Now Christopher Stasheff, author of the spellbinding fantasy series A Wizard in Rhyme, begins a new epic saga, The Star Stone. Here, in Book One, THE SHAMAN, he weaves a vibrant tapestry of heroes and villains, of an exotic and magical world where strange peoples struggle for solace and freedom and even for happiness. Join him now, and wrap yourself in the wonder of his world.

Ohearn was a simple man, big and strong and kindly, respected among his Biri clansmen. Then fate--and the Ulin, who were all but gods--intervened, and Ohearn's life, his clan, and his very world changed forever.

The Ulin were the Elder Race, giants, unspeakably powerful in arms and in magic. All were selfish; most were tyrants who scorned the short-lived Younger Races: men, elves, and all the rest. Some capricious Ulin sported with mankind; one among their number, Ulahane the Red, dedicated himself to reaping a harvest of human terror and anguish.

Only one among the Ulin, Lomallin, stood opposed to Ulahane and his schemes. Lomallin gathered some few like-minded allies and worked to protect the human creatures, to teach them and nurture their talents.

Inevitably, Ulahane and Lomallin became deadlocked in their struggle. It had been prophesied that one day Lomallin could win--but to triumph, he must first die. Until then, the contest for the fate of the Younger Races would be fought by humans who served the Ulin...

Ohearn knew little of the world beyond his clan. But when his wife fell ill and Ulahane's lackeys detained the shaman who could help her, Ohearn's path became clear. He led a band of warriors against the enemy stronghold. With the half-elf trickster Lucoyo at his side, Ohearn wrested the wise man from the Scarlet One's prison--and launched a battle whose scope he could never have anticipated. The beacon of freedom flared, and its flames would sweep forest and prairie, cities and towns, mountains and deserts and all the farthest lands. But the cost of freedom would be high indeed, for Ulahane proved to be an implacable foe. He was determined that either Lomallin's human charges would be annihilated--or Lomallin himself would die!

THE MAKING OF A HERO

Generations ago, Ohaern had played the hero's part in toppling the fearsome Ulahane from the tyrant's throne. His reward had been to spend an eternity with the goddess Rahani--and the years had spun away in a tapestry of bliss.

Now humankind had again fallen beneath a despot's heel. Ulahanes son Bolenkar, conceived in savagery and raised in brutality, visited horror upon all the sorry earth. Tenderhearted Rahani turned to her champion to save the world again, but the years had sapped Ohaern's mortal strength. His long-sleeping body awoke aged and stiff and weary. He could guide the fight against Bolenkar, for his wealth of craft and wisdom remained intact. But a younger man must strike the killing blow.

Like a swordsmith seeking to craft a sword, Ohaern sought the raw material from which to craft a hero. He chose the outcast bully Culaehra: a scoundrel, despicable and lazy--but one who might be shaped into something better. And the fire in which he would be forged would cleanse the filth from his soul, leaving behind that which was fine and sharp.

Whether he would be sharp enough to topple a godling, only mortal combat would decide...

Join Christopher Stasheff in this world of wonder, where common mortals face utmost peril in their search for freedom and justice, in the fabled land of The Star Stone.