“A sparkling gem of mythic invention and wonder . . . Frost draws richly detailed human characters and embellishes his multilayered stories with intriguing creatures–benevolent sea dragons, trickster foxes, death-eating snakes and capricious gods.”<br>–Publishers Weekly, on Shadowbridge<br><br>Daughter of the legendary shadow-puppeteer Bardsham, Leodora has inherited her father's skills . . . and his enemies. Together with her manager–Soter, keeper of her father's darkest secrets, and a gifted young musician named Diverus, Leodora has traveled from span to span, her masked performances given under the stage name Jax, winning fame and fortune.<br><br>But Jax's success may be Leodora's undoing. Years ago, following a performance by Bardsham, the vengeful god known as Lord Tophet visited a horrific punishment upon the span of Colemaigne and its citizens, a reprisal inflicted without warning or explanation. And as the genius of Jax gives rise to rumors that Bardsham has returned, Lord Tophet takes notice and dispatches a quintet of deadly killers to learn the truth behind the mask.<br><br>Now, upon the cursed span of Colemaigne, where her father achieved his greatest triumph and suffered his bitterest tragedy, Leodora is about to perform the most shocking story of all.<br><br>“Stunning . . . Frost could be on his way toward a masterpiece.”<br>–Locus, on Shadowbridge<br><br>“Beautifully written and realized.”<br>–Jeffrey Ford, author of The Empire of Ice Cream, on Shadowbridge<br><br>Lord Tophet is the completion of a two-book adventure.