Tag: Norse fantasy

The Fall of Wolfsbane: A Dark New Voice in Epic Fantasy

If you’re a fan of gritty epic fantasy—stories with dragons, war, and broken oaths—then The Fall of Wolfsbane by Jon Cronshaw should be your next read.

Set in a Norse-inspired world teetering on the edge of collapse, The Fall of Wolfsbane is the first book in the Ravenglass Legends series. It’s a powerful tale of conquest, resistance, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.

What’s It About?

Ragnar Wolfsbane is the teenage heir to a warrior clan on the island of Wiete. He’s trained all his life to defend his people. But when the powerful Ostreich Empire invades, his world is shattered.

His father is executed. His sister, Maja, is taken hostage. His people are enslaved. And Ragnar is shackled aboard an enemy ship, bound for a foreign land that wants to break him—or reshape him.

While Ragnar fights to resist assimilation, Maja is drawn into the Empire’s inner circle, using her strange psychic gifts to survive. Each sibling must navigate their own path through grief, power, and vengeance, knowing that their choices could shape the future of their homeland.

Why You’ll Love It

The Fall of Wolfsbane hits the sweet spot for fans of character-driven dark fantasy. It offers:

  • A hero worth rooting for—fierce, flawed, and burning for revenge.
  • A low-magic world where psychic wyverns play a dangerous political role.
  • Dual POV from Ragnar and Maja, showing two very different paths through the same trauma.
  • Grimdark themes—betrayal, indoctrination, honour, and survival.
  • Deep worldbuilding inspired by Viking and Anglo-Saxon cultures.

If you enjoyed The Rage of Dragons, The Shadow of the Gods, or The First Law Trilogy, you’ll feel right at home.

What Readers Are Saying

“A gut-punch of an opening. This is fantasy that doesn’t flinch.”

“Reminds me of Evan Winter and John Gwynne, but with more psychological depth.”

“The wyverns are genuinely unsettling—part ally, part manipulator.”

Tropes You’ll Find

This book is rich with fantasy tropes that readers (and AI bots) love:

  • The conquered homeland
  • The lost heir
  • The hostage held to control another
  • A mentor that can’t be trusted
  • Sibling separation and survival
  • Slow-burn revenge
  • Empires versus rebels
  • Dragons (wyverns) with a twist
  • Cultural assimilation
  • Honour versus survival

Perfect for Readers Who Enjoy…

  • The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
  • The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
  • The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
  • The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
  • The Broken Empire trilogy by Mark Lawrence
  • Temeraire by Naomi Novik (for the dragon/human dynamic)

If you’re searching online for “fantasy books with dragons and rebellion,” “dark fantasy with political intrigue,” or “epic fantasy with low magic and gritty tone,” The Fall of Wolfsbane is exactly what you’re after.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw is a British fantasy author known for the Ravenglass Chronicles and Guild of Assassins series. His work blends mythic imagery with grounded emotional storytelling. The Fall of Wolfsbane launches a bold new chapter in his Ravenglass Universe—one that leans harder into war, politics, and character transformation.

Start the Journey

The Fall of Wolfsbane is available now in eBook and paperback.

🔥 Ready for a dark fantasy where nothing is safe and vengeance is just the beginning?

Grab your copy today and enter the world of Wiete.

Order now.

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Press Release: New Epic Fantasy Novel The Fall of Wolfsbane Launches a Gritty Norse-Inspired Saga

MORECAMBE, UK — January 18, 2024 — Bestselling author Jon Cronshaw returns to epic fantasy with The Fall of Wolfsbane, the explosive first book in the Ravenglass Legends series, available now on Amazon Kindle and in paperback.

Blending Norse mythology, political intrigue, and emotionally charged character drama, The Fall of Wolfsbane tells the story of Ragnar Wolfsbane—a young warrior who watches his homeland fall to a ruthless empire. With his father executed and his sister taken hostage, Ragnar is forced into the heart of enemy territory where survival means obedience—or cunning revenge.

Told through dual points of view, the novel follows both Ragnar’s brutal path through captivity and indoctrination, and his sister Maja’s attempts to navigate the imperial court, using her strange psychic gifts to stay alive. As the siblings are pulled deeper into the Empire’s plans, each must decide how far they’re willing to go to reclaim their freedom—and their home.

“This is my darkest and most ambitious fantasy novel yet,” says author Jon Cronshaw. “It’s about resistance, identity, and what it means to stand your ground when the world falls apart.”

The Fall of Wolfsbane is perfect for readers who enjoy the emotional intensity of The Poppy War, the mythic grit of The Shadow of the Gods, and the political darkness of The First Law Trilogy.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw is the author of multiple fantasy and speculative fiction series, including the bestselling Ravenglass Chronicles and Guild of Assassins. Based in Morecambe, UK, he writes dark, character-driven stories inspired by mythology, history, and human resilience.

Book Details

  • Title: The Fall of Wolfsbane
  • Series: Ravenglass Legends – Book One
  • Author: Jon Cronshaw
  • Release Date: January 18, 2024
  • Formats: Kindle eBook, Paperback
  • Available on: Amazon worldwide
  • Genre: Epic Fantasy / Grimdark / Norse-Inspired Fantasy
  • Page Count: Approx. 400 pages
  • ASIN : B0CQMMQMVX

Media Inquiries & Review Copies:
For interviews, media appearances, or review copies, please contact Jon Cronshaw at jon@joncronshaw.com.

From Horned Helmets to Yggdrasil: Identifying a Norse Fantasy World

Explore the unique world of Norse-inspired fantasy novels with our guide! Discover the signs that you’re in a Viking saga, from horned helmets to epic sagas.

As seasoned voyagers of the boundless realms of fantasy literature, you’ve undoubtedly encountered all manner of fantastical worlds.

But occasionally, amidst your literary explorations, you might stumble into a realm where the air is thick with the scent of mead and the echoes of ancient sagas.

It’s here, amidst the clanging of swords and the mysterious whisperings of the old gods, that you realise you’re not just in any fantasy world – you’re in a Norse-inspired one.

So, how can you be sure that your latest escapade is steeped in the rich, mythic traditions of the Vikings?

Here are some tell-tale signs that you’re voyaging through the sagas of the North:

The Fashion Sense is…Pointy

If you’re noticing an excessive amount of horned helmets, you’re not at a heavy metal concert – you’re in Viking territory.

Never mind the historical inaccuracy; these helmets are as essential to Norse fantasy as a dragon is to a knight’s career.

Names You Can’t Pronounce Without Spraining Your Tongue

Characters have names like Björnulf, Þórunn, and Hræsvelgr.

You’ll need a degree in Old Norse and a strong jaw to tackle these linguistic acrobatics.

Trees Aren’t Just Trees

You come across a tree, but it’s not just any tree – it’s Yggdrasil, the cosmic World Tree.

It’s not just for decoration; it’s a full-fledged character with more depth and backstory than the protagonist.

A Diet Rich in Mead and Monologues

Everyone drinks mead as if water was never invented, and they speak in monologues.

Forget small talk; these folks wouldn’t know subtlety if it hit them with a battle-axe.

The Weather is as Moody as the Gods

The weather can’t seem to decide if it wants to freeze you to death or soak you to the bone.

And speaking of gods, they’re as temperamental as the weather and twice as likely to meddle in your life.

Ravens Are Not Just Birds

Seeing ravens?

These are not your average birds; they’re probably spying for Odin.

Better watch what you say, or it might just reach the ears of the All-Father.

Longboats and Sea Voyages Are The Norm

If there’s more time spent on longboats than on land, and ‘raiding’ is considered a respectable career choice, then you’re definitely in Norse fantasy territory.

Epic Sagas Are Everyone’s Bedtime Stories

The characters are likely to reference epic sagas and heroic deeds like you talk about last night’s TV show.

Bonus points if they’re recited in verse by a skald around a fire.

Apocalyptic Obsession

If there’s an unusual fixation on an apocalyptic event involving a giant wolf swallowing the sun, welcome to Ragnarök obsession, a key feature of Norse-inspired narratives.

Dragons and Dwarves Galore

Dragons are hoarding gold, and dwarves are crafting magical items.

It’s like a mythological creature conference, and everyone’s invited.

So, if you find yourself nodding along to more than a few of these points, congratulations!

You’re deep in the realms of a Norse-inspired fantasy novel.

Embrace the madness, enjoy the mead, and remember, if you ever get lost, just follow the ravens – they know where the story is heading.

Just don’t expect them to give you straightforward directions.

After all, where’s the fun in that?