Is The Fall of Wolfsbane Your Next Epic Fantasy Read? A Story of Conquest and Resistance

iscover The Fall of Wolfsbane, a gritty epic fantasy novel of war, empire, and survival. Follow Ragnar and Maja Wolfsbane as they fight for identity, resist conquest, and uncover the dark magic of ravenglass weapons.

The Fall of Wolfsbane is the first book in my epic fantasy series, Ravenglass Legends.

It is a story about war, empire, and survival. It is a story about identity and resistance in a world shaped by conquest.

I wanted to write a fantasy novel that didn’t shy away from the complexity of empire.

This isn’t a simple tale of good versus evil. It’s a story about people caught in impossible situations.It’s about the cost of survival and the price of power.

The novel follows two main characters.

Ragnar Wolfsbane is a warrior and heir to the northern territory of Meerand.

His world is destroyed when the expansionist Ostreich Empire conquers his homeland.

He watches his father executed. He is taken hostage. He is forced to live among the people who murdered his family and renamed his home.

Ragnar is a character shaped by loss and rage. But he is also a character who learns to adapt.

He forms alliances. He learns the language of the Empire. He survives by understanding his enemies.

Maja Wolfsbane, Ragnar’s younger sister, is taken to the imperial capital and is forced into the role of a court project, paraded as proof that the Empire civilises its captives.But Maja has her own quiet resistance.

She learns their ways while never forgetting her own. She uses their lessons against them. She plots her escape in secret.

I wanted the dual narrative to show two sides of the same war.

One sibling survives within the Empire. The other fights to break free from it.

The world of The Fall of Wolfsbane is shaped by politics, power, and cultural conflict. It’s a world where ancient magic exists but comes at a cost.

Magic in my story is tied to blood, memory, and sacrifice.

Ravenglass is a rare black mineral that can be forged into weapons.

These weapons aren’t just tools—they are bound to the person who creates them.

To forge a ravenglass weapon, blood must be spilled, tears must be shed.

I wanted magic to feel dangerous. I wanted it to feel personal.

At its heart, The Fall of Wolfsbane is about identity.

It’s about what we cling to when everything else is taken. It’s about how we change when we are forced to survive in hostile worlds.

The story is gritty and violent at times, but I never wanted it to feel nihilistic.

There is honour in resistance.

There is courage in survival.

Ragnar and Maja both carry the spirit of their lost home, even as they are shaped by the Empire.

They are both forced to make impossible choices.

Sometimes they win. Sometimes they lose. But they endure.

I wrote The Fall of Wolfsbane for readers who enjoy complex worlds and morally grey characters, for readers who want their fantasy to feel real, grounded, and emotionally honest.

If you enjoy stories about empire, rebellion, and the quiet strength of those who resist, I think you’ll find something here for you.

This is a story about conquest. This is a story about resistance. This is a story about magic that hurts and heals in equal measure.

This is The Fall of Wolfsbane. And this is only the beginning…

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.