Slaves of Socorro

A renegade Skandian has raided a small Araluen village of Hallasham and taken its people as slaves. The Herons — now Skandia’s official duty ship, stationed in Hallasholm — are sent after him. The trail runs south, to Socorro: a desert city-state whose slave market is one of the oldest institutions on the continent, and whose owners do not like being asked questions.

Slaves of Socorro is the first crossover book with Ranger’s Apprentice. A familiar Ranger plays a significant role, and the Brotherband reader who has also read the main series will catch things the standalone reader will not. Published in 2014, it opens the second phase of the series.