Tag: dark epic fantasy

Silent Watcher Chapter 1 Free – Read Jon Cronshaw’s New Dark Fantasy on Patreon

Read the opening chapter of Silent Watcher for free on Patreon. A dark political fantasy of espionage, conspiracy, and betrayal set in the Ravenglass Universe.

I’ve started posting my new novel Silent Watcher on Patreon—and you can read the opening chapter right now for free.

This one’s a bit different. Darker. More claustrophobic. The kind of story where the truth keeps shifting just out of reach the closer you get to it.

Here’s the setup:

A dead Watcher. A town that won’t speak. A truth someone is desperate to bury.

Anselma Versen arrives in Halborg to investigate a colleague’s death. Officially, it was an accident.

It doesn’t feel like one.

The streets are scrubbed too clean.

The townsfolk speak like they’ve rehearsed it.

And the dead Watcher left behind a journal he was never meant to write.

Then things start to get… stranger.

Records don’t match.

Witnesses remember different versions of the same events.

And Anselma finds her own name—her own signature—on reports she never wrote.

At that point, it’s no longer just an investigation.

It’s a system.

And it’s already accounting for her.

If she follows orders, she survives.

If she keeps digging… she probably doesn’t.

If you like your fantasy with a strong espionage edge—something closer to a spy thriller in tone—this might be your kind of thing. Think conspiracies, institutional power, and a protagonist who refuses to accept the official version of events.

I’ll be posting chapters on Patreon, starting now, and the first one’s free if you want to take a look.

👉 You can read Chapter 1 HERE.

If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy stepping into Halborg. It’s not a friendly place.

Kat is back — The Ravenglass Chronicles returns!

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.

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to continue Kat’s epic journey.

Guild of Assassins by Jon Cronshaw: Book One Breakdown

Discover Guild of Assassins by Jon Cronshaw—a dark fantasy novel about justice, revenge, and transformation. Perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Brent Weeks. Gritty, emotional, and character-driven. Available now on Kindle and paperback.

If you’re a fan of dark, emotionally driven fantasy—Guild of Assassins should be your next read.

Written by British author Jon Cronshaw, this novel kicks off a new series set in the gritty Ravenglass Universe. Think Assassin’s Apprentice meets The Night Angel Trilogy with a touch of Joe Abercrombie’s realism and emotional grit.

What’s it About?

Soren is a sculptor’s apprentice in the port town of Nebel Hafen. He’s on track for a quiet life—until his father is murdered and the killer disappears into the night.

With no help from the Magistrates, Soren abandons everything: his tools, his home, his future. Joined by his best friend Alaric, he follows a trail of whispers that leads to a name spoken only in hushed tones—the Guild of Assassins.

To get justice, Soren will have to become what he hates. And once you learn to kill, it changes you forever.

Why You’ll Love It

Guild of Assassins combines:

  • Gritty, low-magic fantasy
  • A revenge-fuelled coming-of-age story
  • Secret societies and assassin guilds
  • Tight character development
  • Themes of grief, loyalty, and moral conflict

It’s emotionally intense, tightly paced, and completely immersive.

You’ll walk with Soren through rain-soaked alleys, crumbling ports, and dangerous backstreets as he wrestles with the question: Can you get justice without becoming a monster?

Perfect For Fans Of…

  • Robin Hobb
  • Brent Weeks
  • Joe Abercrombie
  • The Poppy War
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora
  • Assassin stories with emotional stakes
  • Dark fantasy that puts character first

Who is Jon Cronshaw?

Jon Cronshaw is an indie fantasy author from the UK, known for The Ravenglass Chronicles, The Fall of Wolfsbane, and now Guild of Assassins. His stories are deeply human, emotionally rich, and written with a sharp eye for character.

Fun fact: Jon is blind and writes using screen reader technology. His unique perspective brings texture and depth to his storytelling.

You can get early access to his books through his Patreon: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Where to Get It

📕 Guild of Assassins is available now on Amazon Kindle and paperback.

If you like dark fantasy with sharp edges and real emotional punch—this one’s for you.

👉 Start reading Guild of Assassins now on Amazon.

Announcing: Guild of Assassins – A New Project on Substack!

I am thrilled to announce a new project that I will be sharing exclusively with you on my Substack page: Guild of Assassins.

Hello from sunny Morecambe!

I am thrilled to announce a new project that I will be sharing exclusively with you on my Substack page: Guild of Assassins.

This is your chance to dive into a world of intrigue, danger, and dark epic fantasy as you follow the tale of Soren, a young sculptor’s apprentice on his path to becoming a member of the Assassins’ Guild.

Set in the Ravenglass Universe, Guild of Assassins is both a standalone story and a prequel to my novel, Dawn of Assassins. Whether you’re already a fan of this series or just discovering it, this adventure promises to captivate you from the very beginning.

By subscribing to my Substack, you’ll gain a rare glimpse into my writing process. You’ll be able to read chapters of the novel-in-progress, and I encourage you to share your thoughts, comments, and support as we embark on this journey together.

Please keep in mind that the chapters posted may not appear in the final novel, as I often make cuts and revisions during the final draft. This means you’ll be experiencing an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the raw, unfiltered story as it unfolds.

Be the first to explore the shadowy corners of the Ravenglass Universe and uncover the secrets of the Assassins’ Guild.

Follow Soren’s journey from humble beginnings to his ultimate destiny and immerse yourself in a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

So, are you ready to join the adventure?

Don’t wait—subscribe to my Substack now and begin your exclusive journey into the world of Guild of Assassins. Together, let’s explore and discover what lies within.

Join me now by subscribing to my Substack page: joncronshawauthor.substack.com.

See you on the other side!

Jon