title: Sword of the Deceiver (Isavalta, Book 4)
author:  Sarah Zettel 
description: Zettel's satisfying conclusion to her Isavalta series (after 2004's <i>The Firebird's Vengeance</i>) illuminates the inner workings of the royal court of the Hastinapura Empire through the eyes of 19-year-old Princess Natharie of Sindhu, taken there as tribute from her father, King Kiet of the neighboring realm of Sindhu. Though women in Hastinapura are sequestered, they plot and peddle influence as deftly as the politicians, generals and priests who clamor for Emperor Chandra's attention. Chandra's honorable brother, Prince Samudra, does his best to influence his stern brother, but a year away carrying out diplomatic duties has weakened his own alliances at court. As Isavalta's nations chafe under Hastinapura's rule, Samudra and Natharie are caught up in a web of intrigue that could enmesh the land in all-out war. The fast-paced, complex story works well as a stand-alone and is sure to appeal to fans of both epic fantasy and romance. <i>(Mar.)</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  Black Steel
  
  
  By Steve Perry
  
  
  Chapter ONE
  
  
  DEATH CAME FOR him by mistake.
  
  
  Sleel had left the commercial hopper and was walking in the shade under the
  protective gamp toward the airport terminal when a woman with a sword stepped
  out of a darker shadow. There were other people moving under the billowy
  canopy, but Sleel knew immediately that the swordswoman had come for him.
  
  
  "Stupid," Sleel said, shaking his head. He was wearing the matador uniform,
  dark gray orthoskins, spun dotic boots, and bilateral spetsdods. The would-be
  assassin was a good eight meters away. She wasn't a big woman, but size didn't
  mean much when it came to this kind of thing; it was ability that counted.
  
  
  Still, even if he suddenly went blind, Sleel could hit her before she moved a
  meter. She wasn't flashing a projectile weapon around; she'd have to get close
  to use that blade, and that was just plain foolish. And because it was so
  suicidal, it made Sleel think again. Maybe she had a partner? Since she did