Prester John rules the Known World with an iron grip; his fanatical servants, the Brotherhood of Redemption, stalk the land, crushing all resistance. Elowen Aubyn, after many adventures, has... More > reached the hidden sanctuary of the Illuminati, a forbidden sect that has long opposed Prester John. But she is far from safe. For soon, betrayal and tragedy plunges Elowen into a desperate and deadly quest - to discover the Four Mysteries, ancient artefacts that hold the key to finding the Tree of Life. With a small band of friends, Elowen travels across dangerous lands, encountering terrifying creatures, power-hungry priests and ruthless slave traders. But there are greater perils to come, for Elowen is about to confront her deepest fear, and uncover a shocking secret that will change her life... The second part of an epic fantasy saga, 'The Ordeal of Fire' is a breathtaking and magical adventure that will enchant both young and old.< Less
The evil of Prester John dominates the Known World. His deadly servants, the fanatical Brotherhood of Redemption, have crushed almost all resistance. With time against them, the surviving members of... More > the Illuminati, a forbidden sect long opposed to Prester John, plan to risk everything in one last daring assault against the enemy. Meanwhile, after escaping from the clutches of Lord Lucien, Elowen Aubyn continues her search for the remainder of the Four Mysteries, ancient artefacts that hold the key to finding the Tree of Life. But she must overcome many perils and defeat the greatest of evils, for if she fails, the Known World's only chance of freedom will be lost, forever... The final part of an epic fantasy saga, 'The Last Days' is set in a richly imaginative world and takes the reader on a magical journey of adventure, intrigue and breathtaking escapes.< Less
The evil of Prester John dominates the Known World. His deadly servants, the fanatical Brotherhood of Redemption, have crushed almost all resistance.
With time against them, the surviving members... More > of the Illuminati, a forbidden sect long opposed to Prester John, plan to risk everything in one last daring assault against the enemy.
Meanwhile, after escaping from the clutches of Lord Lucien, Elowen Aubyn continues her search for the remainder of the Four Mysteries, ancient artefacts that hold the key to finding the Tree of Life. But she must overcome many perils and defeat the greatest of evils, for if she fails, the Known World's only chance of freedom will be lost, forever...
The final part of an epic fantasy saga, 'The Last Days' is set in a richly imaginative world and takes the reader on a magical journey of adventure, intrigue and breathtaking escapes.< Less
Prester John rules the Known World with an iron grip; his fanatical servants, the Brotherhood of Redemption, stalk the land, crushing all resistance.
Elowen Aubyn, after many adventures, has... More > reached the hidden sanctuary of the Illuminati, a forbidden sect that has long opposed Prester John. But she is far from safe. For soon, betrayal and tragedy plunges Elowen into a desperate and deadly quest – to discover the Four Mysteries, ancient artefacts that hold the key to finding the Tree of Life.
With a small band of friends, Elowen travels across dangerous lands, encountering terrifying creatures, power-hungry priests and ruthless slave traders. But there are greater perils to come, for Elowen is about to confront her deepest fear, and uncover a shocking secret that will change her life…
The second part of an epic fantasy saga, ‘The Ordeal of Fire’ is a breathtaking and magical adventure that will enchant both young and old.< Less
Prester John rules the Known World with an iron grip. Through his servants, the fanatical Brotherhood of Redemption, his dominion stretches into every land.
Meanwhile fourteen year old Elowen Aubyn... More > lives a miserable life in an orphanage. Bullied by the other children and by the cruel Master, she dreams of escape and adventure, little realising that her dreams are about to become terrifyingly real.
When an encounter with the mysterious Tom Hickathrift leaves Elowen in possession of an ancient map, she is forced to flee and to seek the Illuminati, a forbidden sect long opposed to Prester John. Pursued by deadly enemies, Elowen soon discovers that her journey is far more dangerous than she could have possibly imagined. For the map she carries holds a secret, a secret that could change the world forever...
The first part of the TREE OF LIFE trilogy, The Map of the Known World takes you into a saga of forgotten magic, adventure and treachery that will grip both young and old.< Less
Prester John rules the Known World with an iron grip; his fanatical servants, the Brotherhood of Redemption, stalk the land, crushing all resistance.
Elowen Aubyn, after many adventures, has... More > reached the hidden sanctuary of the Illuminati, a forbidden sect that has long opposed Prester John. But she is far from safe. For soon, betrayal and tragedy plunges Elowen into a desperate and deadly quest – to discover the Four Mysteries, ancient artefacts that hold the key to finding the Tree of Life.
With a small band of friends, Elowen travels across dangerous lands, encountering terrifying creatures, power-hungry priests and ruthless slave traders. But there are greater perils to come, for Elowen is about to confront her deepest fear, and uncover a shocking secret that will change her life…
The second part of an epic fantasy saga, ‘The Ordeal of Fire’ is a breathtaking and magical adventure that will enchant both young and old.< Less
Prester John rules the Known World with an iron grip. Through his servants, the fanatical Brotherhood of Redemption, his dominion stretches into every land.
Meanwhile fourteen year old Elowen Aubyn... More > lives a miserable life in an orphanage. Bullied by the other children and by the cruel Master, she dreams of escape and adventure, little realising that her dreams are about to become terrifyingly real.
When an encounter with the mysterious Tom Hickathrift leaves Elowen in possession of an ancient map, she is forced to flee and to seek the Illuminati, a forbidden sect long opposed to Prester John. Pursued by deadly enemies, Elowen soon discovers that her journey is far more dangerous than she could have possibly imagined. For the map she carries holds a secret, a secret that could change the world forever...
The first part of the TREE OF LIFE trilogy, The Map of the Known World takes you into a saga of forgotten magic, adventure and treachery that will grip both young and old.< Less
About Steven Smith
My writing reflects my love of history and mythology, especially the folktales and legends of the West Country and my native East Anglia. The content and themes of this novel have been heavily influenced by my interest in the natural world and environmental issues; I am involved in volunteer marine conversation work to help preserve the beautiful Suffolk coast. My literary influences include the works of Philip Pullman, J.R.R. Tolkien, Richard Adams and George Orwell.
'The Map of the Known World' and 'The Ordeal of Fire' are the first and second parts of the 'Tree of Life' trilogy. The final volume, 'The Last Days', is now available.
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