I’m thrilled to announce that The Knight and the Rebel, the third book in the Ravenglass Legends series, will be released on January 30, 2025.
The book is now available for pre-order on Kindle.
In this instalment, we follow Ragnar and Maja Wolfsbane as they walk opposing paths in their fight to save their homeland.
While Ragnar plays a dangerous game in the Imperial court as Knight Protector, Maja leads a desperate rebellion against Imperial rule.
Each believes they’re doing what’s necessary to protect their people, but their choices will have far-reaching consequences for both their family and their world.
This book delves deeper into themes of power, identity, and the cost of both resistance and collaboration.
Through Ragnar and Maja’s parallel journeys, we explore how good people can find themselves on opposing sides of history, each believing they’re doing what’s right.
For readers who’ve followed the series, you’ll see familiar faces and watch ongoing plotlines reach pivotal moments.
For newcomers, I’d recommend starting with The Fall of Wolfsbane to get the full impact of the characters’ journeys.
Pre-order now to have the book delivered directly to your Kindle on release day.
The paperback edition will be available shortly before the ebook release—I’ll announce those details as soon as they’re finalised.
Explore the contrasting worlds of Grimdark and Noble Bright in modern fantasy. Discover how these extreme genres, along with Nobledark and Grimbright, create complex, engaging stories where the lines between good and evil are constantly shifting.
In the vast landscape of modern fantasy, readers find themselves navigating between two rather extreme realms.
Grimdark and Noble Bright.
It’s a bit like choosing between spending a weekend in a haunted mansion or at a blissful monastery.
Both have their appeal, depending on your taste for misery or calm.
But what happens when you want a bit of both?
That’s where the delicate balance of modern fantasy comes in.
Where the lines blur, and things get interesting.
And by “interesting,” I mean positively bleak, yet with just a glimmer of hope.
Grimdark: Where Happiness Goes to Die
Grimdark is the literary equivalent of being handed a bouquet of roses only to realise the stems are covered in thorns.
And the roses?
They’re probably poisonous.
Here, the world is a grim place, the characters are darker than a moonless night, and the only thing lower than the protagonist’s moral compass is their life expectancy.
In a Grimdark setting, you don’t just survive; you endure.
And usually with a substantial amount of collateral damage.
But what is it that makes Grimdark so appealing?
Is it the promise of a story where absolutely no one is safe?
Or is it the joy of watching characters you’ve come to love spiral into madness, corruption, or worse—politics?
Perhaps it’s the satisfaction of seeing that, no matter how bad your day has been, at least you’re not caught in a never-ending cycle of betrayal, violence, and despair.
There’s a certain catharsis in that.
A grim reminder that things could always be worse—so much worse.
Noble Bright: Sunshine and Rainbows (But Don’t Forget the Sword)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Noble Bright.
Here, the heroes are heroic, the villains are villainous, and the world is—dare I say it?—a decent place to live.
In this setting, good deeds are rewarded, evil is punished, and the characters have the kind of unwavering moral compasses that would make a saint blush.
It’s a world where you can rest easy knowing that everything will turn out fine.
And if it doesn’t, it’s because you’ve wandered into a different genre.
Noble Bright offers readers an escape to a world where hope is not just a distant dream, but a tangible reality.
It’s the kind of place where you can believe in happy endings, even if you’ve just seen the hero’s best friend impaled on a lance.
Because in Noble Bright, good ultimately prevails, no matter the odds.
And while that may sound a bit too saccharine for some, there’s something to be said for a world where the darkness never quite snuffs out the light.
Nobledark: The Tragic Hero’s Dilemma
Now, let’s talk about Nobledark, the lovechild of Grimdark and Noble Bright, and my personal favourite flavour of fantasy.
Nobledark is the sweet spot where flawed heroes—who are not entirely unlike your average tax accountant—struggle to hold onto their moral compass in a world that’s just waiting for them to fail.
Here, the world is brutal, harsh, and unforgiving.
But our heroes cling to their ideals like a sailor clings to a life raft in a storm.
They know the world is dark.
But that doesn’t stop them from trying to make it a little less so.
In a Nobledark setting, you won’t find your characters smiling much.
But when they do, it’s probably because they’ve done something incredibly brave, incredibly stupid, or both.
This is the fantasy of reluctant heroes, where doing the right thing often comes at a terrible cost.
And where the path to victory is paved with difficult choices and broken dreams.
But despite the overwhelming odds, these characters don’t give up.
They fight, they bleed, and they endure.
Not because they believe they’ll succeed, but because they believe it’s worth trying.
Grimbright: Utopia with a Dark Twist
And then there’s Grimbright, where the world itself is a utopia—clean streets, happy citizens, probably an excellent public transport system.
But the protagonist?
They’re the type who’d pickpocket a beggar and sell their grandmother’s wedding ring for a quick profit.
Grimbright is where you get all the shiny, perfect settings of Noble Bright.
But with a protagonist who’s about as trustworthy as a politician at election time.
The result is a deliciously twisted narrative where the anti-hero thrives in a world that doesn’t deserve them.
Or maybe they’re exactly what it deserves.
Grimbright subverts the traditional expectations of both utopian settings and anti-heroes.
It’s a world where everything looks perfect on the surface, but there’s always a dark undercurrent.
Often driven by the protagonist’s less-than-honourable intentions.
This genre appeals to those who like their fantasy with a side of cynicism.
Where the world may be bright, but the characters are anything but.
Finding the Balance
So, where does modern fantasy sit in all of this?
The truth is, the best stories often find a balance between these extremes.
Readers today are drawn to complexity, to worlds that aren’t entirely hopeless but aren’t sparkling with blind optimism either.
They want heroes who aren’t infallible.
But who try their damnedest to do what’s right, even when the right thing isn’t clear—or easy.
In a world that often feels like it’s teetering between chaos and calm, it’s no wonder that readers gravitate towards fantasy that reflects this delicate balance.
Nobledark, with its flawed heroes and brutal worlds, offers the perfect blend of hope and despair.
It’s a reminder that while the world may be a dark and terrible place, it’s the fight to make it better that truly matters.
And if you happen to take a few arrows to the knee along the way?
Well, at least you’re in good company.
Conclusion: Choose Your Poison
In the end, whether you prefer the bleak nihilism of Grimdark, the radiant hope of Noble Bright, or the grim determination of Nobledark, there’s a place for everyone in modern fantasy.
It’s a genre that thrives on diversity.
Where the lines between good and evil, light and dark, are constantly shifting.
So choose your poison wisely.
Or, better yet, sample a bit of everything.
After all, in the world of fantasy, it’s not about finding the light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s about enjoying the journey through the darkness, even if you stumble a few times along the way.
Discover the origins of Ragnar Wolfsbane in this thrilling prequel. When a sacred artifact is stolen, young Ragnar must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim it. A tale of betrayal, friendship, and destiny in the Ravenglass Legends universe.
Young Ragnar Wolfsbane, heir to a powerful clan, faces his first great challenge when the legendary Hammer of Wolfsbane is stolen right from under his nose.
Tricked by a cunning priest and burdened by the weight of family legacy, Ragnar must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim the sacred artifact.
With his loyal friend Kest by his side, Ragnar’s journey will test his courage, challenge his beliefs, and set him on the path to becoming the leader he’s destined to be.
Perfect for fans of epic fantasy, “The Hammer of Wolfsbane” offers a glimpse into the events that shaped one of Ravenglass Legends’ most iconic characters.
🔥 New to the Ravenglass Universe? This is the perfect starting point!
🐺 Already a fan? Discover this untold story from Ragnar’s youth!
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on more Ravenglass Legends content!
Get ready to dive back into the magical world of Ravenglass, where danger lurks around every corner and sibling loyalty is put to the ultimate test.
I’m thrilled to announce that “The Wolf and the Wyvern,” the eagerly anticipated sequel to “The Fall of Wolfsbane,” is now available on Kindle Unlimited!
What’s in Store for Readers?
In this gripping new installment, we follow the diverging paths of our beloved siblings, Ragnar and Maja:
Ragnar embarks on a perilous quest to the treacherous Northern Reaches, ostensibly to rescue a prince he knows isn’t there. As he navigates icy perils and struggles to keep his secrets hidden, Ragnar must unravel the truth behind his fool’s errand before it’s too late.
Maja, meanwhile, forges her own path with the rebellion, fighting to reclaim her homeland and overthrow the Empire. But as she’ll soon discover, the price of power is steep, and the line between ally and enemy is often blurred.
Together, they must confront their own demons, forge unlikely alliances, and uncover dark secrets that could change everything.
Early reviews are pouring in, and readers are loving “The Wolf and the Wyvern”:
“The action and intrigue in this story are nonstop and edge-of-your-seat thrilling.”
“Lots of duty, deception with sibling loyalty. Lots of unexpected twists. It contains lots of dark magic, adventure and great characters.”
“Political machinations are everywhere, the conquered are pressed under the heel of an evil force, and the Wolfsbane siblings may be the only ones that can help.”
Immerse yourself in the vividly imagined realm of Ravenglass, where legends come to life.
Watch as duty and deception collide, testing the bonds of family and loyalty.
Unravel dark secrets and confront unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.
From the icy Northern Reaches to the heart of the rebellion, every page is filled with excitement.
Haven’t read “The Fall of Wolfsbane” yet? No worries! You can get it for FREE on Kindle until September 2nd. Don’t miss this chance to start your journey into the world of Ravenglass. Get your copy HERE.
Get Your Copy Today!
“The Wolf and the Wyvern” is available now in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited. Don’t miss out on this epic adventure that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Two siblings. Two paths. One destiny that could shake an empire to its core.
In The Knight and the Rebel, the third book in the Ravenglass Legends series, Ragnar and Maja’s worlds collide in an epic tale of power, loyalty, and rebellion.
As Ragnar rises within the very empire that destroyed their homeland, Maja fights to bring it down. But as secrets unravel and danger mounts, nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
With wyverns soaring through the skies and ravenglass whispering dark truths, Ragnar and Maja must each grapple with their choices.
Can Ragnar reform the empire from within?
And can Maja’s rebellion succeed without tearing apart everything she loves?
Filled with action, political intrigue, and characters that will stay with you long after the last page, The Knight and the Rebel is a fantasy epic that fans of Joe Abercrombie and Robin Hobb won’t want to miss.
Early Access on Patreon: New Chapters Every Weekday!
Eager to dive into this gripping adventure before it’s published?
As a Patreon subscriber, you’ll get exclusive early access to work-in-progress chapters of The Knight and the Rebel every weekday!
Follow the story as it unfolds, and be the first to experience the twists and turns of this thrilling saga.
Exciting news for fantasy fans! The Wolf and the Wyvern, the highly anticipated sequel in the Ravenglass Legends series by Jon Cronshaw, is set to launch on August 29, 2024.
Hello from Morecambe
I am thrilled to announce that *The Wolf and the Wyvern*, the latest instalment of Ravenglass Legends, will be released on August 29, 2024!
This book continues the epic journey of Ragnar and Maja and delves deeper into the intricate world that so many of you have come to love.
Pre-order Now on Kindle
The ebook is now available for pre-order on Kindle.
Secure your copy today and be among the first to dive into this exciting new adventure as soon as it launches.
Pre-ordering ensures that the book will automatically be delivered to your device on release day, so you won’t miss a moment of the action.
Torn apart by fate, united by blood.
Duty and deception collide in this gripping sequel to The Fall of Wolfsbane.
Ragnar is thrust into a perilous quest to the treacherous Northern Reaches.
His mission: rescue a prince he knows isn’t there.
As he navigates icy perils and keep his secrets hidden, Ragnar must unravel the truth behind his fool’s errand before it’s too late.
The Wolf and the Wyvern weaves a tale of sibling loyalty, dark magic, and the price of power.
As Ragnar and Maja’s paths diverge, they must each confront their own demons and forge unlikely alliances to survive.
Lose yourself in this richly imagined world where legends come to life and nothing is quite as it seems.
The Wolf and the Wyvern will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Dive into a world of shadows and secrets with this gripping excerpt from “Guild of Assassins,” the new epic fantasy novel by [Author Name]. When a young sculptor’s apprentice loses his father to a mysterious assassin, he sets out on a quest for justice that will change his life forever.
Soren buckled the leather apron straps around his waist, steeling himself as he marched into Master Kurgan’s studio. The familiar scent of clay and dust lingered in the air, the rhythmic tap of chisel on stone filling the workshop.
Kurgan’s stern eyes narrowed as he looked up from his work, his thin fingers poised above an emerging stone portrait. His bushy eyebrows furrowed. “You’re late.”
Soren swallowed hard. “I apologise, master. I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.”
Kurgan sniffed. “Perhaps you should lose track of those daydreams instead.”
“I really am sorry. I was—”
“I don’t need excuses.” Kurgan pointed at Soren’s cluttered workbench, gesturing towards the coating of dust. “I need you to focus on your work, boy.”
Soren dipped his head. “I know.”
“You’ll never master your craft if you’re always chasing shadows.”
Soren picked up his chisel and mallet, the tools at home in his grip, and continued working on his latest piece—an alabaster wyvern with its wings outstretched.
“Remember, Soren, the world beyond Nebel Hafen’s walls may seem alluring, but it’s as cold and unforgiving as the Braun Sea.”
Soren gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the thought nagging at him. There had to be more to life than this.
The day wore on and Soren soon regained focus on his work, the wyvern’s form slowly revealing itself with each strike of his chisel. It was the closest thing to magic in this world—the ability to create something beautiful and lasting from something as mundane as a block of lifeless stone.
The light from outside caught his attention. He blinked up at the window, his eyes dry and tired from dust and concentration. White-capped waves crashed against the harbour wall as the afternoon sun shone down on the Braun Sea.
Soren took this as his cue and broke away from his work. He cleaned his tools and swept the floor. He gazed at the half-finished wyvern on his workbench, its pink alabaster seeming almost translucent in the dim light. He couldn’t wait to get back to work on it, but errands for his master loomed.
Alaric appeared near the workshop door. He leant against the frame with one foot on the wall, a smirk on his face, and his hair still damp, no doubt from a morning spent at sea.
“Hey, Sor.”
Soren waved a hand in greeting.
“Need any help?”
“Thank you. That would be great.” Soren wiped Kurgan’s tools and gestured to his own workbench. “Help me finish up here. I need to run some errands for Master Kurgan.”
“Sure thing.” Alaric pushed off his leaning post.
Soren placed the last of Kurgan’s tools down and let out a sigh.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Let me guess.” Alaric grinned. “Old Kurgan wants you to clean his smallclothes.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.”
“It’s not that funny.”
“I know.” Soren cocked an eyebrow.
Alaric wandered over to the wyvern statue and pushed out his bottom lip. “This yours?”
“Yeah, he has me doing pointless little ornaments. Apprentice pieces, he calls them.”
“I guess we’ve all got to start somewhere. Your father had me mending nets again today. I want to be on the bow with a harpoon, bringing in a sperm whale. But, no, I get to sit in the hold, fiddling with old nets while my fingers turn red.”
“And I want to carve mountains.”
“Ah, the life of an artist.” Alaric ran his hands over the statue. “So mysterious and full of torment.”
“Torment? Hardly. It’s just…sometimes. I don’t know.”
“Oh, here we go.”
Soren glanced towards the window. “I feel like I’m stuck in this place, doing the same thing, day after day after day.”
“Welcome to being an apprentice.” Alaric clapped him on the back. “We all feel that way sometimes. At least when you’re finished, you don’t stink of fish guts, or have frostbite to contend with. You know, it was so cold out there today, I felt like my nose was going to freeze off. Imagine that. Your nose getting so cold it would drop off your face.”
“I guess.”
“I know you feel trapped in this place—we all do. But you have an incredible talent. And, one day, you’ll show everyone just how great you can be.”
“It can’t come soon enough.”
“Well, don’t let me get in the way of your fun.”
Alaric headed for the door.
“Yeah, right. Fun.”
Soren glanced around his still unfinished tasks and sighed as the door clicked shut behind Alaric. “Some help you were.”
A narrow stone path led to the cottage Soren shared with his father. He marched homewards, his head pounding, his arms aching, his legs spent. The thatched roof and whitewashed walls had weathered many storms, standing steadfast against the elements.
Warmth hit him as he opened the door and stepped across the threshold.
“Ah, there you are.” Soren’s father smiled across the kitchen as he bustled around, chopping vegetables with deft hands and stirring pots with practised ease. “I was ready to send out a search party.”
“Sorry about that.” Soren offered him a tired smile. “I had errands to run for the master.”
“Ah, well, needs must. I brought back some fine trout today. Not keen on these winds we’ve had coming from the north. Burn the skin off your knuckles if you’re not careful.”
“Alaric said it was cold.”
His father chuckled. “Aye. Very cold below deck out of the winds, I’m sure. He had it easy and he still found time to complain. Needs to buck his ideas up, that one.”
“I think he’s just itching to do more.”
“Oh? Has he been complaining?”
“No.” Soren shook his head. “I just remember him talking about how much he wanted to catch a whale, that’s all.”
“We’re a fisher, not a whaler.”
“I know.” Soren rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands at the basin. “Let me help.”
As they worked side by side, Soren couldn’t help but admire the precision and skill with which his father worked on the fish. With each cut, he removed the bones and excess skin, leaving behind perfect fillets. The sharp blade glinted against the warm light.
“You’ve got that look on your face again.” His father watched him with a sidelong glance. “Everything alright?”
Soren hesitated before answering. “I’m fine. I’m just looking forward to finishing my apprenticeship. I feel like…I don’t know. I can do so much more than ornaments. I’ve improved so much and I’m ready to do more…I know I am.”
“You’ve got a keen eye and a steady hand, son. But Master Kurgan has done you well.”
“I know. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“I feel like there’s something more out there for me.”
“Like what?”
Soren shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose it’s like Alaric—he’s stuck in the bowels of a ship all day, fixing nets when he’d rather be out hunting whales.”
“I see.”
“What I mean is, I don’t know if I can stay doing what I’m doing for another five years.”
His father paused, his eyes meeting Soren’s. “You’re free to follow your own path, son. But don’t forget where you come from. It might not be glamorous, but it’s honest work. In time, it’ll put food on your table.”
“I know.”
“I’ve paid a decent chunk of coin for that apprenticeship. I could have insisted you follow in my footsteps, but I wanted more for you.”
Soren forced a smile. “I know. And you’re right. I just…I just need to keep focused on getting better, focused on learning my craft.”
“That’s my boy.”
The next day, Soren’s arms were aching from hours of chiselling. He took a step back to admire the completed wyvern sculpture. A mixture of pride and satisfaction bloomed within him that he had transformed a lifeless slab of alabaster into a work of art.
He walked around the piece, studying it from all angles. Master Kurgan would have no choice but to let him move on to more challenging pieces.
A sudden draught drew his attention away from his work.
The door closed behind Alaric. “Nice job.” He sidled up to Soren and gazed down at the sculpture, rubbing his chin. “Is it supposed to look like a chicken?”
“It’s supposed to be a wyvern.” Soren wiped his brow with a dirty sleeve and registered Alaric’s smirk. “Oh, we’re doing this again, are we?”
“Seriously, though, it’s impressive.” Alaric leant in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I bet Kurgan did the finishing touches, though. No way you’d be able to do those scales like this without him holding your hand.”
Soren narrowed his eyes. “You can joke all you want, but it was all me.” He studied his work from several angles. “And I have outdone myself, if I’m being honest.”
“Because you’ve not been honest all this time?”
“You know what I mean.”
Alaric shook his head and grinned. “Nah. It’s good. You’ve done alright.” He gave Soren’s arm a playful punch.
“Careful!” Soren grabbed his chisel, catching it before it fell off the edge. “Tools of the trade.” He glanced towards the door. “But thanks, though. Kurgan’s been pushing me harder than ever. Sometimes I wonder if he will ever think I’m truly ready.”
“Maybe he wants you to reach your full potential, or something.” Alaric leant against a nearby table and picked up a hammer, turning it in his hand. “There’s always room for improvement, right?”
“Easy for you to say.”
“You’re right about that. Turns out I’m pretty good at this speaking lark.” He placed the hammer down and gestured to the door. “Come on. Let’s take a break. There’s more to life than chipping away at rocks.”
“What you got in mind?”
“I don’t know. Let’s have some fun. Cause some trouble, like we used to.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Alaric waved his hands. “Alright. No trouble. But all work and no play makes Soren a dull boy.”
“Fine. You win.”
“Excellent. Get some coin together. We could eat, have a few drinks, play some cards, whatever.”
Soren smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
“Let’s go then, before old Kurgan comes back and gets you to scrub his privy.”
The door opened, bringing with it the chill from outside.
“Oh, well.” Alaric took a step back. “Too late. Looks like you’ve missed the boat.”
Kurgan marched in with his arms folded and scowled at Alaric. “You again?” He gestured to the door. “Go on, do one. Be off with you.”
Soren gave his friend a helpless shrug. “I need to stay here.”
Alaric nodded and ducked past Kurgan. “Later, then?”
“Yeah. Later,” Soren said as Alaric departed.
Kurgan strode over to Soren’s workbench and gazed down at the wyvern. He stood silent for several seconds, his head turning this way and that as he tapped his chin. “You’ve done an adequate job there, boy.” He pointed to the tail. “Watch your tapering on the base. And the barb doesn’t look like that.” He lifted the wyvern and turned it in his hands. “You haven’t touched the underside of its feet. And wyverns have four claws, not three.”
Soren looked at his wyvern through Kurgan’s eyes and noted the flaws for the first time. “Thank you, master.”
“Also, you should add more depth to the scales. Remember, to capture reality, you have to exaggerate it slightly.”
“Thank you, master.”
“Remember, Soren”—Kurgan lay a hand on his shoulder—“true mastery comes not from talent but from humility and perseverance.” He raised a finger. “Talent gets you in the door. But it’s a commitment to learning one’s craft that marks a true artist.”
“Of course, master.” Soren hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “I was wondering…”
“What is it?”
“How many pieces like this did you have to do before you completed your apprenticeship?”
Kurgan shrugged and pursed his lips. “A few hundred at least, maybe a thousand or so.”
Soren gaped. “Are you…are you joking?”
“No joke.” Kurgan stroked his moustache. “And let’s just say, my old master wasn’t as lenient as I am.” He rolled up his sleeve, revealing faint scars across the backs of his hands and arms.
“What happened?”
“They’re reminders. They’re reminders of the importance of hard work, of commitment to your craft.” He jerked his sleeve back down. “But they also remind me that violence is ugly and terrible.”
Soren looked down at the back of his hands and chewed on the inside of his lip. “Thank you.”
“I received those beatings for much less than your mistakes.”
“I will try my best. I swear it in the eyes of Creation.”
“Good.” Kurgan cleared his throat. “Maybe if that fish boy wasn’t in here every day, you might produce some better work.” He placed the statue down and gestured to a block of white marble resting on a nearby bench. “I’d like you to try another piece. Work from the same brief, but this time in Sieshin marble. The stone is much harder to work, so keep your chisel sharp and your rhythm steady.”
“Another wyvern?”
Kurgan nodded. “Another wyvern. Is that going to be a problem?”
“No, master.”
“Have you considered experimenting with different materials?” He gestured to a collection of various stones and metals along the workshop wall. “It might help you grow as an artist.”
“I like working with alabaster. I really want to get good with it.”
“And leave everything else behind?” Kurgan shrugged as he began to pace. “Heed my words, boy. If you only master one thing, you will be an apprentice forever.”
Soren shook his head. “How am I supposed to become a great artist if I don’t have a specialism?”
“The specialism comes when you have mastered all parts of your craft. A solution in modelling may provide a fresh perspective on carving. Techniques and processes can be adapted from one medium to another. Don’t allow complacency to stifle your growth. If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
“I understand.”
Kurgan patted Soren’s back. “You don’t.” He chuckled to himself. “But you will.”
The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Soren locked up the workshop for the night. The dying light cast long shadows across the cobblestones, while a chilling breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it the scent of brine and the faint hints of fish and seaweed.
He double-checked the lock and started when Alaric slipped from the shadows.
“By Creation.” Soren’s hand shot to his chest. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.”
Alaric rubbed his hands together, his face obscured by his hood. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Plan for what?”
“For tonight, fool.”
Soren shrugged a shoulder. “I’m tired, my arms ache, and I’m covered in dust. I just want to head home…It’s been a long day.”
Alaric grinned and placed both of his hands on Soren’s shoulders. “Great. We’ll head to yours. Get yourself changed and grab some coin, and then the night is ours.”
Soren let out a sigh and nodded. “Fine.” He headed back along the path through Meerand, Alaric at his side.
“I bet this place used to be so different back in the day.” Alaric gestured up to Meerand Castle. “Imagine living in that place when it was whole.”
“You’re not going to start with stories of the Guardians again, are you?”
Alaric shook his head. “I wonder what it was like, though, all those people. I bet there must have been hundreds of people living there.”
Soren gazed up at the ruins. “I guess everything comes to an end. I wonder what happened to them?”
“Maybe they’re still around, working in secret.”
“Yeah. And maybe the Wolfsbane clan are still hiding in the forests.”
Alaric sniffed. “I think we can definitely say that’s not happening.”
“Would you have joined?”
“What? The Guardians?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Might be more fun than mending nets. Be a hero. Go on adventures. Bit of swashbuckling. Yeah, I could do that.”
“I bet it would be boring. I’d join up, do a seven-year apprenticeship, and then I’d probably end up in the offices, doing paperwork, knowing my luck.”
“You make your own luck in this world.”
“You sound like Master Kurgan.”
“Don’t say that. Never say that.”
“Are you going to start lecturing me on proper chisel care?”
Alaric laughed. “Yeah. And make sure you dust off those…tooly things.”
As they reached his cottage, Soren pushed open the door and entered the kitchen, still grinning, Alaric following on behind.
“Father?”
No answer.
Soren glanced around the dimly lit room. His gaze fell upon his father’s pipe smouldering on the table.
A muffled thump echoed from elsewhere in the cottage.
Soren turned to Alaric, his grin fading. “Stay here.” He bolted across the kitchen and headed for his father’s chamber. He threw open the door.
Soren froze. There, sprawled across the floor, was his father—his limbs contorted at unnatural angles, his throat cut.
Crimson blood pooled by his father’s side, and his eyes stared vacantly.
“This is…this is…”
Alaric joined Soren’s side and stared. “By Creation—”
“What kind of monster—?”
“Shh.” Alaric gestured behind him and ducked. “Someone’s here.”
Soren’s heart thundered in his chest. He willed his body to respond, and he crouched, hearing light footsteps move through the house.
But he couldn’t stay down long. He rose to stand. “We need to know who did this.”
Alaric jerked him back. “Are you completely mad?”
Soren shrugged off Alaric’s hold. “Better mad than a coward.”
“Fine.” Alaric’s jaw clenched. “But if we die, I’m blaming you.”
Soren crept through the cottage, every creak of the floorboards seeming to echo off the walls.
“Damn, he didn’t even let him finish his pipe.” Alaric shook his head. “That’s just rude.”
Soren glowered at Alaric.
By the faint light of the moon, he caught a glimpse of someone retreating outside. A man in grey, his face twisted by a gnarled scar across his right eye.
The man vanished into the night.
Soren wanted to give chase. But all he could do was stand in place, paralysed by it all. He stood at the cottage door and looked out into the darkness. “I swear in the eyes of Creation…”
Alaric stood beside him, his expression grim. “What do you want to do?”
“Find him.” Soren took his time scanning for any signs of the killer. “And catch him.”
“And then what?”
“And then we bring him to justice.”
Alaric nodded. “What about…” He gestured behind him.
“I can’t think about that right now.”
As they stepped outside, Soren took a deep breath. “We need information. Someone must have seen this bastard skulking around.”
Explore how Tad Williams’s “The Dragonbone Chair” has shaped the landscape of fantasy literature, introducing deep world-building, complex characters, and slow-burn narratives that have influenced authors and captivated readers around the world.
In the shadowy corridors of fantasy literature, where dragons lurk and heroes abound, Tad Williams‘s The Dragonbone Chair sits quietly, perhaps deceptively so.
Published in 1988, it has woven its influence through the genre with the stealth of a thief in the night.
This seminal work, the first of the “Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn” series, might not always shout its presence from the rooftops, but it has undeniably shifted the foundations of fantasy literature.
The Slow Burn of Epic Fantasy
Tad Williams took a gamble in The Dragonbone Chair, betting on readers’ patience with a slow-burning narrative that rewards those who stick around for the long haul.
His meticulous pacing and deep world-building lay the groundwork for a complex story that unfolds with the inevitability of a prophecy foretold, nudging other writers to take their time.
After all, why rush to slay the dragon when you can savour the journey?
Richly Painted Worlds and the Depth They Demand
The world of Osten Ard, with its rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, is a testament to Williams’s dedication to the craft of world-building.
He crafts a universe so detailed that one might need a map, a compass, and a good memory to navigate it.
This comprehensive approach has encouraged a generation of fantasy authors to deepen their own worlds, proving that readers can indeed handle more than the superficial glitz of magic—they crave depth and detail.
Characters as Real as Your Eccentric Uncle
Williams’s characters are a far cry from the cardboard heroes and two-dimensional villains often paraded in lesser tales.
Simon, the series’ young protagonist, stumbles and grows in ways that mirror the awkward journey through adolescence, resonating with authenticity.
This commitment to character complexity has pushed fantasy narratives towards more realistic, psychologically nuanced portrayals, where characters might be battling inner demons as fierce as any dragon.
The Ripple Effect on Modern Fantasy
The legacy of The Dragonbone Chair is subtle yet pervasive.
Its influence can be seen in the works of later fantasy luminaries like George R. R. Martin, who has admitted to its impact on his own sprawling epics.
Williams’s blend of the epic and the intimate has paved the way for books where the fate of the world might hinge on personal betrayals and quiet moments of doubt, infusing the genre with a refreshing dose of human frailty.
The Quiet Giant of Fantasy
While The Dragonbone Chair may not always be the loudest voice in the room, its whispers have permeated the halls of fantasy literature, urging a richer narrative blend, deeper world-building, and more complex characterisation.
In the grand tapestry of the genre, Tad Williams stitches quietly but deeply, leaving a pattern that other writers follow, often without realising they are treading a path first laid by a master.
So, as we stand in the echoing halls of modern fantasy, it’s worth listening closely—you might just hear the faint creaking of a certain chair, bearing the weight of a genre forever changed.
I’ve been dying to share this with you for months, and the day has finally arrived. It’s my great pleasure to unveil the official book trailer for my upcoming epic fantasy novel, “Guild of Assassins”!
With this series. I wanted to create a tale that would transport you to a world of intrigue, where shadows hide secrets and danger lurks around every corner.
At the heart of “Guild of Assassins” is Soren, a young sculptor’s apprentice whose life is shattered when his father is murdered by a mysterious assassin.
Driven by grief and a thirst for justice, Soren sets out to uncover the truth. But his quest takes a dark turn when he’s forced to join the very guild responsible for his father’s death.
As Soren navigates the cutthroat politics of the assassins’ guild and endures a training regimen that pushes him to his limits, he discovers a web of secrets that could bring an empire to its knees.
But to survive, Soren must embrace the way of the assassin and become the very thing he hates most.
This story is packed with pulse-pounding action, searing betrayals, and a deeply human story of loss, redemption, and the price of vengeance.
“Guild of Assassins” is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Mark Lawrence, and Michael J. Sullivan. If you love gritty, immersive fantasy tales that keep you turning pages late into the night, this book is for you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the trailer…and of the story.
Drop a comment below and let me know what you think!
Explore the profound impact of Gene Wolfe’s “The Book of the New Sun” on fantasy literature, analyzing its intricate narrative, thematic complexity, and unique approach to the genre.
When pondering the vast, often impenetrable wilderness of fantasy literature, one cannot help but stumble upon Gene Wolfe‘s monumental series, “The Book of the New Sun.”
Often hailed as a masterpiece for its intricate narrative and deep thematic complexity, this series has cast a long, ominous shadow over the genre.
It’s the kind of series that lures you in with its promise of escapism, only to trap you in a labyrinthine structure of allegory and allusion, much like a spider cosying up to an unsuspecting fly.
First published in the early 1980s, “The Book of the New Sun” is not your garden-variety epic fantasy.
It eschews the well-trodden paths of elves, orcs, and overly simplistic battles between good and evil, favouring instead a dying Earth setting that is as bleak as a Monday morning without coffee.
It is a narrative that delights in the cryptic and the arcane, often leaving readers feeling as if they have been blindfolded, turned around thrice, and asked to pin the tail on the donkey.
The Shadow of the Torturer
Wolfe’s magnum opus follows Severian, an apprentice in the guild of Torturers (yes, you read that right), who is as unreliable a narrator as they come.
He’s the kind of chap who would forget his head if it wasn’t secured by his cervical vertebrae—and his meandering recollections serve as the series’ backbone.
Through Severian’s eyes, we explore a world so richly detailed that it makes the tapestries in the British Museum look like child’s scribbles.
Wolfe’s Linguistic Game
What sets Wolfe apart—and what has arguably made “The Book of the New Sun” such a dark star in the fantasy cosmos—is his unorthodox approach to language and structure.
The series is more densely packed with obscure vocabulary than a cryptic crossword, leaving readers to scramble for a dictionary as frequently as Severian unsheathes his sword.
This linguistic labyrinth has been both lauded and lamented, providing a delicious challenge to some and a torturous ordeal to others.
Gene Wolfe’s Lasting Legacy
The impact of Wolfe’s series on fantasy literature can be likened to a black hole: its presence is sometimes hard to detect, but it exerts a powerful influence, warping the space around it.
Contemporary authors may not claim direct inspiration from Wolfe, but his fingerprints are smudged all over the genre.
His approach challenges authors to treat their readers not as spoon-fed infants but as active detectives, piecing together narratives that are as convoluted as a politician’s promise.
In a genre often criticised for its lack of realism and reliance on well-worn tropes, Wolfe introduces a level of sophistication and moral ambiguity that is as refreshing as it is disconcerting.
He paints a universe where the heroes are as flawed as a discounted fruit at the market—potentially rotten but undeniably more interesting.
While “The Book of the New Sun” may not always be the most accessible or comforting of reads, its influence on the fantasy genre is as profound as it is sinister.
It nudges writers to push the boundaries of the genre, to delve deeper into the murky waters of human consciousness, and to embrace complexity over simplicity.
Wolfe’s work reminds us that sometimes, the most enlightening journeys are those that take us through the darkest paths.
After all, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of torment and bewilderment in their reading list?
