To the King a Daughter (Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan, Book 1)
This novel from beloved writer Norton and coauthor Miller begins a new  fantasy series: The Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan. Fans of Norton's classic  Witch World stories will find familiar terrain in this tale of a crumbling  kingdom besieged by dark forces. Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan are the four legendary  powers of the world, now fallen on hard times after years of warfare and mutual  betrayal. Weak-willed Boroth, King of Oak, and his scheming wife, Ysa, sorcerous  Queen of Yew, hold the monarchy for now. Desperate to escape the ancient  prophesy that a Daughter of Ash will claim the throne, Ysa orders the death of  Boroth's runaway lover, Lady Alditha of Ashe--without knowing Alditha has  already given birth to Boroth's bastard daughter, Ashen. Years pass. Boroth's  health fails. As Ysa grooms her unworthy son, Florian, to inherit the throne,  Ashen is raised by Zazar, a wise woman living with the Bog Folk. When Zazar dies  before she can warn the girl of her true heritage, Ashen must trust her  instincts and the little magic she knows for protection. After she saves Obern,  the dashing son of Snolli, High Chief of the Sea Rovers, who seek alliance  against enemies from the north, Ashen and Obern travel to court with Lord  Harous, who distrusts Ysa's intentions. Here book 1 concludes, almost as soon as  the story really begins. While Norton fans will be eager to read her newest  book, they're likely to be disappointed by its slow pace and minimal storyline.--Charlene Brusso