>The Illuminator and The Mercy Seller by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
>The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison
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>Different stories in different places in a different time. Many parallels...

Have you read Pattison's subsequent Shan books? They're all good. The man can write and the atmosphere is almost breathable.

Still, if you've never read Paul Goddard, do yourself a huge favour.