The Chronicles of Borea, IXUS -- Book V of a Grand Epic Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, by Joseph E. Koob II. A sweeping fantasy with intriguing plot twists interwoven in a moving fabric of a sensual and powerful writing style. A tale in the true sense of the word -- fun to read and captivating from one book to the next. A renowned Cleric/Magic-User is transformed into one of the most powerful of the undead through dire magic. IXUS, now a powerful lich, sets his undead army on a path to destroy the Borean Army. Thistle, a White Wizardess in her own right and her husband, Jared, recently anointed a full Bard, use their considerable prowess to help deal with this threat, while Ge-or, Jared's brother, a powerful warrior, rides to IXUS's dungeons with a small troupe to destroy the enemy's effort at the source. Book V in "The Chronicles of Borea finds our three protagonists continuing to delve into the uses of Might, Magic, and Music in order to thwart the powers of evil. Might: Ge-or roared out a battle cry, and charged the swarming demons. Arla in his wake, her twin blades flashing brightly in the golden light, sliced into the nearest foes. Free at last in the huge hall to use his great sword to its best advantage, the half-elf clove a huge swath through the ranks of the minions of hell; Nothing seemed to touch Ge-or as he slashed his way forward. In tune with his weapon, Ge-or seemed to radiate a bright golden aura of his own as he fought.Magic: Ge-or had heard of tremendous feats of magical skill contested between rival Wizards, but he had never witnessed such a display. Attack after attack flowed from the hands and staves of the two mages in quick succession. It was magical fireworks he never thought to see again. Blasts of fire and lightning, sheets of ice, and thunderous unseen blows rocked the center of the room. Vile figures and strange apparitions seemed to flow in and out of the clouds of smoke and steam that began to envelope the chamber. When the whirling clouds of vapor allowed a clear view, Ge-or could see Ixus standing as he had stood before, motionless... his staff pointed at Meligance, ever hissing out spells in icy words. Of Meligance, he could only see the whiteness of her figure, aglow in the power of the moment. Fire, light, darkness, ice, heat, cold, magical darts, and strange apparitions continued to fill the space and time...The Wizardess sent a cloud of green, yellowish vapors roiling toward the lich. Ixus countered it easily with a black cloud. As the two masses met, they burst into flame, enveloping the room in sporadic flares of burning matter. The resulting fumes blanketed all other sights of the battle for a long time.Music: "Jared, you can't.""I have to try, wife.""... the stone will speak to me. I will work with it, rather than give in completely. That I have learned." He looked wearily into Thistle's eyes. "I will be careful...."Jared gestured at the open field where already many wounded had been laid. Taking his portable harp, Jared began to play. It was a simple tune, from his childhood. He wrapped himself in it as he strode about the field, letting the tune, the cries, and his heart direct him where. The Chronicles of Borea -- Seven-Book Fantasy: Book I, The Making of a Bard, Preludio; Book II, Gigue; Book III, Siciliana; Book IV, Ciaccona; Book V, IXUS, Corrente; Book VI, Civil War Threatens, Tempo Di Borea; Book VII, The Great War, Grande Finale.The "Chronicles" is set in the fictional medievalesque world of Borea. Many popular elements of the genre can be found including: fighting with weapons from the period; a comprehensive system and theory of magic use derived from an elemental/energy-based foundation; a diversified collection of races including those standard to the genre (e.g. Human, Elf, Dwarf) and others: Black Druids, Qa-ryks, Chatts, Gzks, Sea elves, Ovietti, Drazzi, Aglimi, and more.