Kat returns in Ace of Swords, the next chapter of the Ravenglass Chronicles.
A new Empress faces political enemies, hidden conspiracies, moral consequence, and a crown that already threatens to break her.
Read exclusive chapters on Patreon as the story unfolds.
I have some exciting news…
Kat is back.
After a five-year break, I have returned to the next arc of The Ravenglass Chronicles.
I have started posting chapters of Ace of Swords, set just three weeks after Kat takes the throne.
Now the crown is testing her in ways steel never did.
Her right hand is bound in a sling, useless when she most needs control.
The wyvern who destroyed her family has vanished, leaving only fear and unanswered questions.
Her court is no longer united.
The conservative houses sense weakness and begin to circle.
A foreign prince arrives without warning, charming, observant, and impossible to read.
Every decision costs her something.
Every pause gives her enemies room to move.
Kat is hunted by forces she cannot see.
She is haunted by dreams she cannot explain.
She is isolated by duty, injury, and a crown that grows heavier each day.
This is a story about power after victory.
It is about the cost of moral certainty.
It is about what happens when doing the right thing is only the beginning.
I am posting three chapters per week, exclusively to Patreon.
Patreon is where you can discuss events, speculate, and follow Kat’s struggle as it unfolds in real time.
If you have been waiting for Kat’s return, this is it.
If you want to experience her reign from the very first fracture, I would love to have you there.
Thank you, as always, for reading and for supporting my work.
Explore the intertwining realms of modern high fantasy and politics. From Game of Thrones to Harry Potter, delve into the intricate power dynamics and social commentary in this captivating genre.
In the realm of modern high fantasy, intricate political manoeuvrings are as much a staple as epic quests, mythical creatures and powerful magic.
These elements interplay, shaping realms and characters, as well as reflecting and commenting upon our own societal issues.
A close examination of this genre’s grand stage reveals that politics plays a starring role.
A Game of Thrones
Firstly, a consideration of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series is essential.
Despite the dragons and magic, the heart of this series lies in its complex political tapestry.
The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros are rife with power struggles, alliances, betrayals and plots that wouldn’t look amiss in a historical epic.
From the starkly feudalistic North to the conniving southern court of King’s Landing, politics are central to both the plot and the development of characters such as Tyrion and Daenerys.
Martin’s exploration of power dynamics, legitimacy, and the cost of war offers a biting critique of real-world politics, veiled in the trappings of high fantasy.
Here, the politics are deeply entwined with the world’s unique magic system and the conflict with the mysterious Parshendi.
Each nation on Roshar has its unique political structure, reflecting their geographical conditions and history.
The Alethi, for instance, are a highly militaristic society governed by an elaborate system of ten Highprinces, with politics heavily influenced by the endless war on the Shattered Plains.
This series investigates themes such as responsibility, honour, and the consequences of power, in a distinctly political context.
The Ministry of Magic
J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, though often seen as light-hearted children’s literature, also delves into politics, albeit subtly.
The Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts’ administration, and even the Death Eaters reflect aspects of real-world politics and the consequences of various ideologies.
The series addresses the risks of political corruption, the importance of a free press, and the dangers of bigotry and xenophobia.
These issues, while rooted in a world of witches and wizards, are timely and relevant to readers in our muggle world.
Power in the Priesthood
Lastly, we mustn’t overlook the role politics play in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy.
The oppressive Magisterium, a theocratic regime, has clear political overtones.
Pullman engages with themes of authority, freedom, and the misuse of power, embodying these concepts in the struggle between the Magisterium and those who seek to uncover the truth about ‘Dust’.
The role of politics in modern high fantasy is both multifaceted and significant.
Not merely a background detail, politics shapes the world-building, the plot, and the very characters who hold our hearts. Moreover, these fantastical political systems allow authors to explore complex themes and to comment on real-world issues.
This reflective quality is perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of high fantasy.
Through the lens of a different world, we gain new insights into our own.
So, the politics of high fantasy continues to challenge, to captivate, and to resonate with readers across our very real and complex globe.
