Genre: Grimdark fantasy

We Are The Dead: Book One (The Last War Trilogy)

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We Are the Dead
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Published: 2019-06-13
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The first book in The Last War series: a debut epic fantasy full of crunching revolutionary action, twisted magic, and hard choices in dark times. The war is over. The enemy won. Jia’s people learned the hard way that there are no second chances.

The Egril, their ancient enemy, struck with magic so devastating that Jia’s armies were wiped out. Now terror reigns in the streets, and friend turns on friend just to live another day. Somehow Tinnstra – a deserter, a failure, nothing but a coward – survived. She wants no more than to hide from the chaos.

But dragged into a desperate plot to retake Jia, surrounded by people willing to do anything to win the fight, this time Tinnstra will need to do more than hide. If Jia is to get a second chance after all, this time she will need to be a hero.

The Wolf’s Call: A Raven’s Blade Novel

The Wolf's Call: A Raven's Blade Novel
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Published: 2019
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“Vaelin Al Sorna, the once-epic warrior and hero of many battles, is now the Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches. He spends his days policing the remote region against smugglers.

But then he captures an assassin from the Far West. The thwarted killer tells Vaelin that the entire Far West is in peril of genocidal invasion and that the healer Sherin, now practicing her arts on the northern frontier of the lands of the Merchant Kings, will be one of the first to die.

Vaelin sails for the Far West to warn her. And finds himself in the very center of a conflict that will open old wounds and rend new ones–if he survives at all”–

 

Follow up to the raven shadow serie

 

Blood Song (Raven’s Shadow, 1)

Blood Song
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Published: 2015-02-03
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The first in the “powerful” (SFFWorld.com) New York Times bestselling fantasy series. Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of ten when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order to be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate and dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith.

He has no family now save the Order. Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the Unified Realm—and Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright knows no bounds. Even his cherished memories of his mother are soon challenged by what he learns within the Order.

But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the Realm but the world.

The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga)

The Shadow of the Gods
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Published: 2022-01-25
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‘A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic’ Anthony Ryan THE GREATEST SAGAS ARE WRITTEN IN BLOOD. A century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo across the land of Vigrið, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame, and a thrall seeking vengeance among the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods.

Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

Further praise for The Shadow of the Gods ‘Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable’ Jay Kristoff ‘A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised characters move against a backdrop of a world stunning in its immensity. It’s everything I’ve come to expect from a John Gwynne book’ Robin Hobb ‘A masterclass in storytelling . . . epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart’ FanFiAddict ‘Quintessential Gwynne honed to perfection . . . The Shadow of the Gods is absolutely stunning, one hell of an epic series opener and a spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy’ The Tattooed Book Geek ‘Reminds me of all that I love in the fantasy genre. The Shadow of the Gods is an action-packed cinematic read’ Fantasy Hive

The Heresy Within: First Earth Saga (The Ties That Bind, Book 1)

The Heresy Within
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Published: 2017-06-22
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As any warrior will tell you; even the best swordsman is one bad day away from a corpse. It’s a lesson Blademaster Jezzet Vel’urn isn’t keen to learn. Chased into the Wilds by a vengeful warlord, Jezzet makes it to the free city of Chade.

But instead of sanctuary all she finds is more enemies from her past. Arbiter Thanquil Darkheart is a witch hunter for the Inquisition on a holy crusade to rid the world of heresy. He’s also something else; expendable. When the God Emperor himself gives Thanquil an impossible task, he knows he has no choice but to venture deep into the Wilds to hunt down a fallen Arbiter.

The Black Thorn is a cheat, a thief, a murderer and worse. He’s best known for the killing of several Arbiters and every town in the Wilds has a WANTED poster with his name on it. Thorn knows it’s often best to lie low and let the dust settle, but some jobs pay too well to pass up. As their fates converge, Jezzet, Thanquil, and the Black Thorn will need to forge an uneasy alliance in order to face their common enemy.

A Shadow of All Night Falling: Book One of A Cruel Wind (Chronicles of the Dread Empire -Glen cook)

A Shadow of All Night Falling: Book One of A Cruel Wind (Chronicles of the Dread Empire -Glen cook)
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Before there was Black Company,

“Across the mountains called Dragon’s Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world’s beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman’s hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings…”–Page [4] of cover.

8 short (250ish pages) books

Also collected in omnibus here :

Book one

Book two

Book three

Book four

The Heart of Stone

The Heart of Stone
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Published: 2017-03-30
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“Echoes of Brandon Sanderson and Scott Lynch.” – SFF World

“Grimdark with heart and soul.” – Anna Smith Spark

“A very, very good read.” – Fantasy Faction

“A brutal delight with thrilling action and heart, rowdy and wise, bloody and tender at the same time.” – Dyrk Ashton

———

Golems are built for war and little else. In centuries past, they were a terrifying staple of the battlefield. Empires were conquered on the backs of golems. Now, time and fear have whittled their kind down to a precious few, kept only by kings and warlords.

Task of Wind-Cut is one such machine of war.

Task was built to kill. Built to win. Thousands have died at his stone hands. He cared once, but far too many years have passed and too much blood has been spilled. Task has become numb to the chaos he wreaks for his masters. A slave to the spells that bind him.

Now, Task has a new master to serve and a new war to endure. In the far reaches of the Realm, Hartlund is in the grip of civil war, tearing itself in two over coin and crown. This time, Task will fight for a boy-king and a cruel general bent on victory.

Beneath his formidable stone, Task longs for change. For an end to this cycle of warfare. For proof of light and good amongst the foul darkness of humanity and war. It will take the mind of an unusual stable-girl to change his.

Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
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NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES—THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing.

There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances.

Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms.

Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.

Darkmage (The Rhenwars Saga Book 1)

Darkmage (The Rhenwars Saga Book 1)
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The Well of Tears was created to harness the power of the Netherworld to prevent a magical apocalypse. Now Darien Lauchlin is the last surviving mage capable of reversing the destruction the Well unleashed. Darien will be forced to sacrifice everything of himself and everyone around him—all to preserve a nation of people who despise him.

Darkmage is the first installment of the Rhenwars Saga, a sprawling epic set in a morally gray world where there is no clear distinction between hero and villain.

Experience epic battles, flawed heroes, and a brutal struggle where the triumph of good over evil is never guaranteed.

If you enjoy the dark, sprawling world of Steven Erikson, the awe-inspiring magic of The Wheel of Time, and the compelling antiheroes of C.S. Friedman, then you’ll love The Rhenwars Saga.

Kings of Paradise: Ash and Sand, Book 1

Kings of Paradise
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Published: 2018-07-19
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“Kings of Paradise presents a brutal world of complex yet simple politics, reminiscent of Game of Thrones. An intriguing low-magic world packed with interesting cultures to be further delved. Nell shows considerable skill in displaying his world distinctly through the eyes of his different characters.” – Fantasybookreview.co.uk

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother’s love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who’ve wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive. Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. And at sixteen, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life. Though they do not know it, both boys are on the cusp of discovery.

Their worlds and lives are destined for greatness, or ruin. But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king… The first installment of an epic, low- fantasy trilogy. Kings of Paradise is a dark, bloody, coming-of-age story shaped by culture, politics, and magic.

The novel’s brilliant world works on so many levels; it has a rich political landscape, moral complexity, and immense environmental challenges, all told in beautiful, thoughtful prose.” – Indiereader “A must for lovers of fantasy, especially those who enjoy losing themselves in a epic tale.” – Reader’s Favorite “The world that Mr. Nell has created is pretty incredible. But the thing that really made me love this story was the characters he filled that world with.” – Goodreads