Publisher, Tantor Media (December 2007)

NOTE: Tantor RETAIL COMPACT DISC EDITIONS are packaged in attractive, durable plastic albums with a ring binder and individual CD sleeves with full-color cover artwork.

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory first teamed up to write the Obsidian Trilogy, which was set in a wondrous world filled with magical beings, competing magic systems, and a titanic struggle between good and evil. That world proved so popular with the creators and readers alike that Lackey and Mallory have returned to it again, with The Phoenix Unchained, Book One of The Enduring Flame, the opening volume of a new epic fantasy trilogy.

After 1,000 years of peace, much Magick has faded from the world. The Elves live far from humankind. There are no High Mages, and Wild Mages are seen only rarely. Bisochim, a powerful Wild Mage, is determined to reintroduce Darkness to the world, believing that it is out of Balance.

Tiercel, a young Armethalian nobleman, is convinced that High Magick is not just philosophy. He attempts a spell---and draws the unwelcome attention of Bisochim. Tiercel survives Bisochim's attack and begins trying to turn himself into a High Mage.

Next in line to be Harbormaster of Armethalieh, Harrier instead finds himself regularly saving Tiercel's life and meeting magickal people and creatures. To Harrier's dismay, it seems that he must become a hero.

In The Phoenix Unchained, Harrier and Tiercel begin a marvelous journey to uncover their destinies. Along the way, they meet a charming female centaur, several snooty Elves, and the most powerful dragon their world has ever known.

About the Authors: Mercedes Lackey has a degree in biology from Purdue University. Like many writers, she has worked at a variety of jobs, including short stints as a waitress, security guard, and artist's model. She is the author or coauthor of close to 100 books, including the Halfblood Chronicles, the Dragon Jousters series, the Bardic Voices series, and the bestselling novels of Valdemar. She lives outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, several birds, and two dogs.

James Mallory is the bestselling author of the Merlin Trilogy---The Old Magic, The King's Wizard, and The End of Magic---and coauthor, with Mercedes Lackey, of the Obsidian Trilogy.

About the Performer: William Dufris began his audio career in London (radio plays, audiobooks, film/animation dubbing, language tapes, etc), where he resided for thirteen years. While there, he had the honor of sharing the microphone in a number of BBC Radio plays with Kathleen Turner, Sharon Gless, Stockard Channing, and Helena Bonham-Carter. These experiences led him to co-found two audio production companies---The Story Circle, Ltd and Mind's Eye Productions. He has also acted on stage and television in the US, the UK and in Germany. William is the original voice of BOB (and Farmer Pickles/Mr. Beasley/Mr. Sabatini) in the popular children's show, BOB The Builder---for US and Canada (Series 1-9). He produces, directs, acts and engineers for his audio theatre company, Rocky Coast Radio Theatre. He has been nominated six times as an audiobook finalist for the APA's Audie Awards, and has garnered fifteen Golden Earphones Awards through AudioFile magazine---in addition to being named "One of the Best Voices at the End of the Century" (also through AudioFile).