A fabulous epic of deadly assassins, desperate journeys, and the desire for vengeance. To escape his master, Slave sells his soul, precipitating events with world-shattering consequences ... A fabulous epic of deadly assassins, desperate journeys and the desire for vengeance ... Slave has been owned by Sondelle, and kept prisoner, since he was a child. Finally escaping through the catacombs, Slave is almost killed by a revenant warrior spirit. He gains his freedom only by swearing fealty to this dangerous creature. Befriended by Ileki, Slave begins to learn about the world outside. However, in a fight to the death, Slave discovers that the revenant warrior has given him a 'blessing' - a form of berserk rage that makes him virtually unbeatable in combat, but also makes him lethal to anyone in the immediate area, friends and foes alike. When he is left alone, Slave heads for Ileki's home city to make amends and seek help. Also heading for the same city are a number of other desperate runaways ... Meanwhile, an evil pirit imprisoned for centuries beneath a city finds its freedom ... and seeks its revenge. 'McGuiness continues to do the unexpected' Bookseller+Publisher on the First Weapon 'the Awakening reads beautifully. It is sweeping and grand in its vision' Good Reading