Seventh Decimate by Stephen R. Donaldson

 

The countries of Belleger and Amika have been at war as long as most men have been alive.  Amika has the advantage in number of men but Belleger has rifles which evens the field.  Both sides have sorcery which allows use of fire, earthquakes and other deadly occurrences.   The war is basically in a stalemate then one day Belleger forces wake up and their sorcery no longer works.

An ancient sorcerer tells them that there is a Seventh Decimate that rules the six that they know about.  Surely Amika has somehow managed to gain that Seventh Decimate and without their sorcery, Belleger is doomed to be conquered and extinguished.

Prince Bifalt who has fought the Amikaians as long as he was old enough is chosen to lead a mission.  There is talk of an ancient library where the Seventh Decimate can be found.  He and a group of men are to find where this library is, go to it and return with the Seventh Decimate.  It is a fool's errand as no one knows where they should go or how they will manage to get it.  

The men set out and have many adventures and battles.  By the time Prince Bifalt gets to the library, his troop is down to him and one other man.  Now that he is there, Bifalt must figure out how to convince the monks that run the library to give him the tome he desires.  Will he be successful?

Stephen R. Donaldson is known for his fantasy works.  His books about Thomas Covenant are a fantasy classic.  This book is the start of a new trilogy, The Great God's War.  Readers will be interested in the world building and the quandary those living in Belleger and Amika are caught up in.  Prince Bifalt starts out as a crude soldier but grows as he travels and encounters people and cultures he never imagined.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.