Tower Lord mini review

Tower Lord is the second book in Anthony Ryan's A Raven's Shadow series.  This is the follow-up to Blood Song, a stellar debut that Ryan had to publish himself before it was finally picked up by Ace and became a success. The third book in the series, Queen of Fire will be released next month, July 7th. This is a mini review since I read the book some time ago but I still wanted to share my thoughts.

Vaelin Al Sorna, warrior of the Sixth Order, called Darkblade, called Hope Killer. The greatest warrior of his day, and witness to the greatest defeat of his nation: King Janus’s vision of a Greater Unified Realm drowned in the blood of brave men fighting for a cause Vaelin alone knows was forged from a lie. Sick at heart, he comes home, determined to kill no more.  

Named Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches by King Janus’s grateful heir, he can perhaps find peace in a colder, more remote land far from the intrigues of a troubled Realm. But those gifted with the blood-song are never destined to live a quiet life. Many died in King Janus’s wars, but many survived, and Vaelin is a target, not just for those seeking revenge but for those who know what he can do.  

The Faith has been sundered, and many have no doubt who their leader should be. The new King is weak, but his sister is strong. The blood-song is powerful, rich in warning and guidance in times of trouble, but is only a fraction of the power available to others who understand more of its mysteries. Something moves against the Realm, something that commands mighty forces, and Vaelin will find to his great regret that when faced with annihilation, even the most reluctant hand must eventually draw a sword.

Blood Song was the story of Vaelin Al Sorna. The origin story of one of the most notorious, dangerous and extraordinary man alive. From the start, my expectations were great and Ryan delivered a compelling and serious tale of a conflicted youth growing up in the isolated monastery of a military order. There was a lack of woman presence and the world was mostly traditional medieval scenery but the prophecy, the legend of the man himself, the open threads at the end of the book and even the magical elements made it a strong Epic Fantasy book with eagerness to sell for the follow-up.

Sadly, for me, Tower Lord was mostly a letdown. With the coming of age out the way and Vaelin already at the top of his game, opportunities were emerging at first but the pace and the overall story evolution was dragged down heavily. The split of points of views could have helped but the other threads didn't draw me in and didn't tie in cohesively, a hard assessment of the breakdown from the first opus. The additions are Reva, a young manipulated woman who wants to kill Vaelin and Princess Lyrna and brother Frentis from the previous book. New enemies had to come up and it seems that for the author, the political situation needed a significant development but the bad side effects of a bridging novel expanding the world appeared.

'Tower lording' seemed like a bore for a while, poor Vaelin, and I almost put the book down for good a couple of times. Still, I admit that the novel had some few interesting moments. Brother Frentis' storyline is captivating in some instances, due to his particular situation as a slave. There's also the addition of female protagonists in the spotlight, a missing element from Blood Song but the addition itself isn't enough. Moreover, even Verniers whereabouts lack mystery and intrigue. Why did the author throw out of his follow-up that many essential and successful features from one book to another?

Will I pick up the third book? Maybe... but I ought to be convinced by a lot of arguments... aside from judging by the outcome of Blood Song, I know that Ryan can be a good writer but I think he has to come up with a tightly woven story, concentrated on Vaelin and few of the other characters instead of the world situation and the boring life of a Tower Lord in the deep North.

Cover:  Nice, probably one of the best featuring an archer I've ever seen.
Release date: July 1st 2014
Map: Several nice maps giving more details of the different regions
Number of pages: 602 pages hardcover edition
Acquisition method: My own audiobook purchase
Other: No...

I liked...	Was disappointed by...
Parts of Frentis' journey and insights as a slave	The new PoVs
	The life as a Tower Lord seems boring
	The pace and the story itself surrounding the political situation
	The difference between the narrative and writing choices between Blood Song and Tower Lord
	The distance created from Vaelin's legend building

Tower Lord review rating :

Anthony Ryan's page
Blood Song review

R. Scott Bakker's The Unholy Consult update

Back in October 2013, Bakker announced that he had finished his first draft of the Unholy Consult, the third and final novel in the Aspect Emperor series. Since then, the book was supposed to be in the hands of editors but it looks like, as the author mentioned today on his blog, Bakker's publisher may be "re-evaluating their commitment to the series". Fear not for the worst that can happen, at least still from his post, is a delay. I'm really eager to finish the series but I can wait, hoping that I don't forget too much of how things ended in the previous book...

What about you? Any readers of Bakker's work eager for his sixth Fantasy novel? Are the Prince of Nothing and Aspect Emperor series not getting enough press? Is Bakker disregarded for the denser philosophical side of his writing? May the slog continues! Here's the author's comment:

And lastly, things keep dragging on with my publishers regarding The Unholy Consult. My delay turning the manuscript in and the quick turnover of editorial staff in the industry means that no one was up to speed on the series–but six months on from submission, and still we have no word. My fear (not my agent’s) is that they might be re-evaluating their commitment to the series–the way all publishers are reviewing their commitments to their midlist authors. I know for a fact that other publishers are interested in snapping the series up, so there’s no need to organize a wake, but who knows what kind of delay would result. Perhaps shooting them emails explaining why they should believe this series will continue growing might help? I dunno. 

The market only grows more and more crowded, and still there’s nothing quite like The Second Apocalypse. Distinction is key in this day and age…

On the AFR Radar

I have read Beaulieu's debut a couple of years ago, The Winds of Khalakovo, a novel I liked well enough. I picked up the follow-up but was probably not in the right mood and returned it to the reading pile for later. And now, a new interesting series, the Song of the Shattered Sands, will begin on September 1st with Twelve Kings (also known as Twelve Kings in Sharakhai). Gollancz released the beautiful UK cover for the book and here's the blurb:

Sharakhai, the great city of the desert, center of commerce and culture, has been ruled from time immemorial by twelve kings—cruel, ruthless, powerful, and immortal. With their army of Silver Spears, their elite company of Blade Maidens, and their holy defenders, the terrifying asirim, the Kings uphold their positions as undisputed, invincible lords of the desert. There is no hope of freedom for any under their rule. 

Or so it seems, until Çeda, a brave young woman from the west end slums, defies the Kings’ laws by going outside on the holy night of Beht Zha’ir. What she learns that night sets her on a path that winds through both the terrible truths of the Kings’ mysterious history and the hidden riddles of her own heritage. Together, these secrets could finally break the iron grip of the Kings’ power...if the nigh-omnipotent Kings don’t find her first.

Those Above review

Those Above is Daniel Polansky's first book in a new duology titled The Empty Throne. The Fantasy author was known before mostly for his Low Town Noir series. The book was released back in February of this year and the follow up Those Below will be out... in the near future. It's my first take on the author's work.

They enslaved humanity three thousand years ago. Tall, strong, perfect, superhuman and near immortal they rule from their glittering palaces in the eternal city in the centre of the world. They are called Those Above by their subjects. They enforce their will with fire and sword. 

Twenty five years ago mankind mustered an army and rose up against them, only to be slaughtered in a terrible battle. Hope died that day, but hatred survived. Whispers of another revolt are beginning to stir in the hearts of the oppressed: a woman, widowed in the war, who has dedicated her life to revenge; the general, the only man to ever defeat one of Those Above in single combat, summoned forth to raise a new legion; and a boy killer who rises from the gutter to lead an uprising in the capital.

As the title suggest or evoke, Those Above are beings worshiped by a population of distant human relatives, or kind of, and are literally residing in a several layered mountain palace called the Roost in the center of the known land. That's actually where half of oftentimes uneventful story takes place. The two protagonists we follow who are inhabitants of this dwelling of the few mighty divine sentinels and leaders are Calla, the servant of The Aubade and Thistle, a street thug living in the lower wrung.

Calla is essentially a restrained witness to the various deliberations of her lord, in his native language that she secretly learned, when he decides to meet with his fellows to talk about the fate of the human Empires, the mating of their race or an incident in one of the lower wrung in need of an investigation. She develops a relationship with a merchant, foreigner to the Roost but making a living by trading with them. Aside from generally witnessing and assessing, I think that I wasn't able to discern much involvement or enthusiasm while reading her chapters. This character felt really bland for me. Her purpose seems to be the herald of the worldbuilding and the host for the events surrounding those above. A point of view from one of them may have been more interesting even if they often seem as emotionally detached as her.

The second one is Thistle. The young boy is leading a sorry gang of braggarts and bullies and is trying to fight his way to the top of the vicious world he lives in. That's the way he found to survive and with the push of a mysterious one time benefactor, he'll finally enjoy some success in it up until he finds a cause aside from surviving, participating in a rebellion against those above. This event will change his perception of the world dramatically. His story doesn't feel much connected with the rest of the narrative up until that point but then you can feel the build-up, mostly a preparation for things to come, at least I hope so for the sake of the follow-up. Thistle's tale isn't without interest but then...

In the world outside of the Roost, the Aelerian Empire, the main emerging force, is trying to conquer the smaller nations bordering it and taking an interest in the other big players. Politically, pulling the strings, is Eudokia, the Revered Mother. A cunning woman, she plays her hand slowly and seems to be always one step ahead of everybody. Her goals are connected with the overall plot involving those above but the author offers a couple of intrigues for her to untie for her plans to go accordingly to her grand vision. Even if sadly her adversaries look like children in comparison, her schemes are sometimes entertaining to witness.

Finally, there's Bas, the Empire's elite general who was previously an enemy subjugated to work for the Aelerians. The competent, silent and sullen commander is typical but surrounded by some fellows that give him slightly more dimension. His role becomes clear soon enough and with a rudimentary backstory here again, his thread didn't feel quite exciting. His engrossment toward one of those above serving as sentinel within the human population is the best aspect of his personality and narrative, although a short one. Another problem with his part of the story are the few battles. Aside from numbers throwing, the strategy doesn't seem imaginative or revealing.

Taking into consideration that the series is a duology, I may have expected a slow build-up for the second book but for me Those Above felt like a long and usually too serious introduction and a tenuous one at that more often than not. The characters have potential but they are not really accomplished protagonists or positioned in surprising ways as the story evolves. Even if I appreciated some of  Polansky's ideas, his world and his prose, the pace and the overall lack of excitement and threads progression left me quite unsatisfied. I'll quote the book toward the end to summarize my remarks: "It has not begun!".

Cover: That beautiful cover is the work of Rhett Podersoo.
Release date: February 26th 2015
Map: Sadly no...
Number of pages: 416 pages hardcover edition (Hodder & Stoughton)
Acquisition method: Audio book purchase
Other: None

I liked...	Was disappointed by...
Elements of the world building	Calla and Bas
Some of Eudokia's schemes or moments	Eudokia's antagonists
A bit of Thistle's evolution	The overall lack of progress or rising action, it feels like a prologue
	The lack of excitement in the conflicts and the few events of note

Those Above review rating :

Daniel Polansky's page

A round of covers

It's time for another round, a feast for the eyes!

***

Several covers for Tor.com upcoming novellas were released last week, with Richard Anderson at the front, giving the Fantasy genre two new amazing covers with Daniel Polansky's The Builders and Alter S. Reiss' Sunset Mantle.

***

And it's not all, the cover for Michael J. Sullivan third volume in the Riyria Chronicles was also unveiled. 

2015 Gemmell Legend awards - shortlist

Voting for the 2015 David Gemmell Legend awards for Fantasy is now open for the shortlist. Here are the nominees in the three categories.

As usual, my picks are in bold and italic and my predictions for the winners are underlined. Will you vote and if so, what are you predictions?

The Legend category tend to be populated by nominees from the previous years but still, it's nice to have an award for that spectrum of the Fantasy niche. 

*

Legend Award

(Best novel)

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (HarperCollins)
Valour by John Gwynne (Pan Macmillan/Tor UK)
Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence (HarperCollins)
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (Gollancz)
The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

*

Morningstar Award

(Best debut novel)

Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell (Jo Fletcher Books)
The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley (Angry Robot)
The Godless by Ben Peek (Pan Macmillan/Tor UK)
The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley (Pan Macmillan/Tor UK)
Age of Iron by Angus Watson (Orbit)

*

Ravenheart Award

(Best cover art)

Laura Brett for The Slow Regard of Silent Things (written by Patrick Rothfuss)

Mike Bryan for Half a King (written by Joe Abercrombie)

Jason Chan for Prince of Fools (written by Mark Lawrence)

Sam Green for Words of Radiance (written by Brandon Sanderson)

Jackie Morris for The Fool’s Assassin (writtern by Robin Hobb)

***

Previous winners:

2014

Legend award - Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

Morningstar award - Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

Ravensheart award -Jason Chan for the cover of Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

2013

Legend award - Brent Weeks for The Blinding Knife

Morningstar award - John Gwynne for Malice

Ravensheart award - Didier Graffet and Dave Senior for the cover of Red Country (written by Joe Abercrombie)

2012

Legend award - Patrick Rothfuss for The Wise Man's Fear

Morningstar award - Helen Lowe for Heir of Night

Ravensheart award - Raymond Swanland for Blood of Aenarion (written by William King)

2011

Legend award -Brandon Sanderson for The Way of Kings

Morningstar award - Darius Hinks for Warrior Priest

Ravensheart award - Olof Erla Einarsdottir for Power and Majesty (written by Tansy Rayner Roberts)

2010

Legend award - Graham McNeill for Empire

Morningstar award - Pierre Pevel for The Cardinal's Blades

Ravensheart award - Didier Graffet, Dave Senior and Laura Brett for the cover of Best Served Cold

2009

Legend award - Andrzej Sapkowski for Blood of Elves

Guest post - Difficult topics to write about by Peter Orullian

I get the irony of writing an article about difficult things to write about. I mean, I’m gearing up to write about things I think are hard to deal with in fiction. But on at least one level, it might also be important to call attention to such things. Anyway, I intend to try.

Let me start with: Death

In fantasy fiction death is common. It often happens at scale, too, with armies and battles and sweeping wars. But even when it’s not a numbers game, there’s usually plenty of death to go around.

The thing is, too often I’m not sure the deaths are made to matter. I’m not suggesting we mourn the death of an unrepentant “bad guy.” And in a scene with hundreds of deaths, there’s not time enough to go into each one individually. But typically, we’re following one—or maybe a few—characters. Whether it’s one of them who dies, or perhaps them doing the killing, reactions to death need to be on the page.

Artwork by Adam Kuczek

It’s not simply that death is cheapened if no one gives a damn. It’s also that it’s just unrealistic if no one does. Most people have others who care about them. This is absolutely true for military folk, starting with the men and women with whom they serve. 

So, if someone falls, there will be grief. And the point I’m making is that death deserves that much. I’m not making an argument that not doing so desensitizes us. Maybe it does, there’d need to be real research to prove that out. No, my argument is simpler. It’s that however natural or part of life death might be, it’s difficult. We grieve. Maybe you’re writing a stoic character who holds in his or her emotions. Maybe. But the world isn’t uniformly stoic. 

When a character falls or watches a friend or loved one fall—whether in battle, or from old age, or whatever—the emotion it evinces from those who care about the one who’s fallen should be clear. And for fiction writers, it’s a powerful opportunity to build character, sharpen motivations, and deepen the narrative. I tried to do this at the very beginning of TRIAL OF INTENTIONS, having a character pause to mark the moment of the passing of some few who’ve perished. With any luck, it’s added some resonance both to the character, and to the story more broadly.

And beyond all this, I think—for folks who are more intimately acquainted with death (perhaps because they’ve lost loved ones, themselves)—writing death has added layers. Or should. Again, not every death. Clearly, in a war there are countless who fall, and we can’t kneel beside each one of them. But wherever we’ve focused our story, I’m suggesting that writing death honestly is a taut, emotional experience. It leaves one drained. That’s the investment I think is right on the part of the writer. And it goes a long way to helping that specific death have weight and meaning, which then enriches the tale.

Next, I want to talk about: The mistreatment of children

I’ve often wondered if writing about the mistreatment of children is harder for writers who are parents than those who are not. I don’t have any data to argue the idea one way or the other. But for my part, the very moment my first child was born, something in me changed. For the better, I think. Less selfish. More dedicated. 

And the idea of a child in peril is bound to evince powerful reactions in me, even when I’m writing it myself. This is why I make every effort to be thoughtful about my approach to this topic. I dislike the notion of playing loose with the mistreatment of children. Yes, if it serves the story, it has a place. But if it’s a device inserted without care, simply to garner a shock, I get turned off.

Artwork by Casey Weeks

In my series—The Vault of Heaven—I have a character who cares for castoff children, orphans, and foundlings. And he pays visits to families where he’s able to place a few, from time to time. In one instance, he finds a man who’s abusing a child he’s entrusted to this man’s safe-keeping. It doesn’t go well for the abuser, as you might imagine.

My point is not that writers shouldn’t write about child abuse or other kinds of mistreatment of the young. In many stories, it’s salient. Even necessary. But my feeling is that it needs to be germane to the story. And when it’s written, it needs to be done with care. Not that it can’t be stark, or brutal, or both. In fact, it’s not a thing to be gilded. But by the same token, I, personally, want to see it done thoughtfully. This might take many forms. 

If you’re writing from the POV of the child, take me inside their pain. Talk to me about how they feel, how they might intend to escape, or why they stay. It reminds me of the film Radio Flyer. Good flick, if you have the time.

And I caution against trying to make a child abuser sympathetic, which, in turn, reminds me of the film The Woodsman with Kevin Bacon. I love Kevin, but he tried to play a pedophile sympathetically. He failed. The story set him up to fail. 

Sure, share with me the reason why an abuser is abusive. People usually do things for reasons. But reasons are not justifications. Big difference. I know it’s fashionable to write about moral ambiguity. But where mistreatment of children is concerned, ambiguity is a bad choice.

Show some care, is what I’m trying to say. It’s a topic that warrants it.

Last, I’d like to talk a bit about: Suicide

Want to know the truth . . . I waited to write this last. I even wrote the closing that comes at the end before coming to this. Why? It’s a bit raw for me. I’ll try to explain.

See, in TRIAL OF INTENTIONS I take up the topic of suicide. It’s not what the book is about, but a few of my characters are intimately acquainted with it. They’ve had people make this choice. And they’re struggling through the aftermath. Their motivations become stronger, deeper, as a result. But it’s not easy. 

Then, as I was writing this book, early on, I had a friend make this choice here in the real world. I thought I’d worked through all the emotions. But when I went back to the book for edits, it was startling to see how it had woven itself into the book.

TRIAL OF INTENTIONS was always going to deal with suicide. There are harsh conditions for many of my characters. And some lose their battle to the weight of it all. But the real world imposed itself. And I did write it as honestly as I could. I think it resonates fairly well.

But to circle back to the point, this is a sensitive topic. It’s more common than is reported. Military veterans. Kids from abusive homes. Kids who are the victim of bullying. 

I rage at preventable circumstances that contribute to someone making such a choice. And always, I just wish those who are suffering could find the help they need.

In fiction, whether you’re writing a character who is battling the kind of depression that suggests they kill themselves, or those left behind when someone close to them takes their own life, please give it some thought. I’m not suggesting page after page of it. In some instances, sparingly treated is appropriate. But even then, the few words you use to communicate about suicide will say a lot. About the characters. About you.

Like the other topics I’ve covered, this is one that deserves a kind of gentleness. Not to be mistaken with gentle writing or soft words. Starkness may be precisely what is called for. But when describing the act or the consequences for those left behind, you’re writing about hopelessness and helplessness. These are powerful emotions. Treated well, they can lend a lot of power to the narrative. Deepen motivation for other characters. Give it all a more human feeling that increases our sympathy and investment as readers. 

It’s not a trick or device. Or, I should say, it shouldn’t be treated as such. Not from where I’m sitting, anyway. Others may disagree with me. That’s fine. Glad to have the debate. But as I’ve said of other topics that I think deserve careful attention, when suicide is flippantly or carelessly or thoughtlessly written, it’s easy to tell. And it’s a turn off.

Where does that leave us?

To close, by “difficult to write about,” I don’t mean the words come slowly. Nor do I mean that these topics are off limits. Or even that the degree to which you show these things has a limit. Those are writer choices and proficiencies. 

What I mean is that I’m of the opinion that they’re challenging topics to write about if you intend to do them well. They’re potent, to be sure. They can fill you story with a depth they might not otherwise have. But to achieve that depth, you have to plumb. Trust me, it’s easy to spot the difference between writers who do and writers who don’t go down to the bottom of the pain.

None of which is to say I—or any writer, for that matter—is perfect at any of this. Sometimes you nail it. Sometimes you don’t. But in all instances, it’s better to make the effort.

*****

Written by Peter Orullian:

Peter has worked at Xbox for over a decade, which is good, because he’s a gamer. He’s toured internationally with various bands and been a featured vocalist at major rock and metal festivals, which is good, because he’s a musician. He’s also learned to hold his tongue, because he’s a contrarian. Peter has published several short stories, which he thinks are good. The Unremembered and Trial of Intentions are his first novels, which he hopes you will think are good. He lives in Seattle, where it rains all the damn time. He has nothing to say about that. Visit Peter at www.orullian.com, or follow him at @peterorullian.

Trial of Intentions blurb:

The heart of grief lies somewhere between one man’s expectation and another’s intent. 

Enemies come. But one enemy believes the gods were wrong about his exiled people. And he’s impatient. 

Nations arm. But one man finds a realm paying for its gearworks with an awful currency. And he’s angry. 

Politicians lie. But one leader lies because he would end the days of slums and porridge. And he’s ambitious. 

Songs restore. But one woman will train to make her rough song a weapon. And she’s in pain. 

Magi influence. But one sage follows not his order’s creed; he follows his heart. And his heart is bitter. 

And one young man remembers. He remembers friends who despaired in a place left barren by war. Friends who did self-slaughter. But he also remembers years in a society of science. A gentler place. So he leaves the rest, daring to think he can lead not in battle, but by finding a way to prevent self-slaughter, prevent war. 

The heart of grief . . . is a trial of intentions.

June releases

It's that day of the month folks, time for my Fantasy releases spotlight!

I think that Mark Lawrence's second Red Queen's War novel will eclipse every other release. I wasn't awestruck at Prince of Fools but The Liar's Key will find a nice spot at the top of my to-read list.

From my list of coming up in 2015, The Floating City by Craig Cormick was pushed to July.

What about you, what are you gonna read this month?

***

The Liar's Key

The Red Queen’s War book 2

Mark Lawrence

June 2nd

The eyes of the mighty are on the North. Loki’s key has been found and lies in the hands of a feckless prince and a weary warrior. 

Winter has locked Prince Jalan Kendeth far from the luxury of his southern palace. The North may be home to Viking Snorri ver Snagason but he is just as eager to leave. However, even men who hold a key that can open any door must wait for the thaw. 

As the ice unlocks its jaws the Dead King moves to claim what was so nearly his. But there are other players in this game, other hands reaching for Loki’s key.

Jalan wants only to return to the wine and women of the south, but Snorri has a different and terrifying goal. The warrior aims to find the very door into death and throw it wide. Snorri ver Snagason will challenge all of Hell if that’s what it takes to bring his wife and children back into the living world. He has found the key – now all he needs is to find the door. 

But pawns are played to sacrifice and the Red Queen set both these men upon her board. How many moves ahead has the Silent Sister seen? How far will they get before their part in the game is over?

***

Storm and Steel

The Book of the Black Earth book 2

Jon Sprunk

June 2nd

An empire at war. Three fates intertwined.

The Magician. Horace has destroyed the Temple of the Sun, but now he finds his slave chains have been replaced by bonds of honor, duty, and love. Caught between two women and two cultures, he must contend with deadly forces from the unseen world.

The Rebel. Jirom has thrown in his lot with the slave uprising, but his road to freedom becomes ever more dangerous as the rebels expand their campaign against the empire. Even worse, he feels his connection with Emanon slipping away with every blow they strike in the name of freedom.

The Spy. Alyra has severed her ties to the underground network that brought her to Akeshia, but she continues the mission on her own. Yet, with Horace’s connection to the queen and the rebellion’s escalation of violence, she finds herself treading a knife’s edge between love and duty.

Dark conspiracies bubble to the surface as war and zealotry spread across the empire. Old alliances are shattered, new vendettas are born, and all peoples—citizen and slave alike—must endure the ravages of storm and steel.

***

Blood Will Follow

The Valhalla Saga book 2

Snorri Kristijansson

June 5th

Ulfar Thormodsson and Audun Arngrimsson have won the battle for Stenvik, although at huge cost, for they have suffered much worse than heartbreak. They have lost the very thing that made them human: their mortality. 

While Ulfar heads home, looking for the place where he thinks he will be safe, Audun runs south. But both men are about to discover that they can not run away from themselves. 

King Olav might have been defeated outside the walls of Stenvik, but now Valgard leads him north, in search of the source of the Vikings’ power. 

All the while there are those who watch and wait, biding their time, for there are secrets yet to be discovered…

***

Ruin

The Faithful and the Fallen book 3

John Gwynne

June 18th

The Banished Lands are engulfed in war and chaos. The cunning Queen Rhin has conquered the west and High King Nathair has the cauldron, most powerful of the seven treasures. At his back stands the scheming Calidus and a warband of the Kadoshim, dread demons of the Otherworld. They plan to bring Asroth and his host of the Fallen into the world of flesh, but to do so they need the seven treasures. Nathair has been deceived but now he knows the truth. He has choices to make, choices that will determine the fate of the Banished Lands. 

Elsewhere the flame of resistance is growing - Queen Edana finds allies in the swamps of Ardan. Maquin is loose in Tenebral, hunted by Lykos and his corsairs. Here he will witness the birth of a rebellion in Nathair's own realm. 

Corban has been swept along by the tide of war. He has suffered, lost loved ones, sought only safety from the darkness. But he will run no more. He has seen the face of evil and he has set his will to fight it. The question is, how? With a disparate band gathered about him - his family, friends, giants, fanatical warriors, an angel and a talking crow he begins the journey to Drassil, the fabled fortress hidden deep in the heart of Forn Forest. For in Drassil lies the spear of Skald, one of the seven treasures, and here it is prophesied that the Bright Star will stand against the Black Sun.

***