A hero near death. A warrior's greatest challenge. Old enemies resurface as Parthalan's guardians are at their weakest...When Latera Demon-killer, the deva'shi of legend, finally slew the mordeth-gall she thought that would be the end of demons in Parthalan. Instead they took a moment to lick their wounds, then the monsters attacked in greater numbers than ever before - but Latera can only watch as she recovers from a near-death experience of her own.After Latera almost died bearing their third child Aeolmar swore he'd never let anything harm her again - then an old secret came to light and threatened to drive Latera away for good. As he struggled to regain his mate's trust their child was taken by one with a grudge against his parents, and his grandsire, the sun god Olluhm. Forced to leave Latera behind in Teg'urnan, Aeolmar races across Parthalan to find his missing child and discover what it really means to be descended from the gods.Meanwhile, Asherah the Ruthless, Queen of Parthalan and Lady of Tingu, is dependent on sleeping herbs procured from Mallia, the palace healer - herbs that allow her to sleep but not rest, as memories of the past and imagined threats from the future haunt her every moment. While the queen descends into madness the old king's children, sensing Asherah's weakness, make a play for Parthalan's throne.As the queen's paranoia threatens to overtake her an old enemy resurfaces, one with closer ties to Asherah and Aeolmar than anyone suspected. With Aeolmar away and Asherah close to insanity, will Latera be able to protect her family and the rest of Parthalan?GOLEM - Book Four of The Chronicles of Parthalan