num_pages: 318
description: Dueling MagicsBorn into a family with magical powers, Aisling is a young witch who fights to protect her homeland of Kars. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to Kars is her older brother, Kirion, who has chosen to use his powers for evil, and years ago forced Aisling into exile.Since Aisling’s departure, Kirion has tightened his hold on Shastro, the Duke of Kars. Through Shastro, Kirion’s dark influence works to subjugate the entire realm.With her younger brother Keelan helping her, Aisling returns, in disguise, to undermine Kirion’s power and defeat the evil duke. But as Aisling gets closer to Shastro, the Duke takes a liking to her, and she finds herself questioning her mission. But when a neighboring clan lays siege to Kars, Aisling and Keelan realize they must act, lest Kirion bring even more death and suffering to Kars’ loyal subjects than he has already caused.Using all the magic, persistence and ingenuity she can summon, Aisling must somehow find a way to avoid the attention of her dangerous older brother, save the people from his murderous sorcery, and return to their Dukedom the peace and prosperity it once knew.A main selection of the Science Fiction Bookclub
language: English
title: The Duke's Ballad
titlecomplete: The Duke's Ballad
genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fantasy
ratings_count: 324
series: Witch World Series 1: The Estcarp Cycle, Witch World
awards: awardedAt: 1136102400000
name: Sir Julius Vogel Award
category: Best Novel
publisher: Tor Fantasy