Overview

An uneasy truce exists between the thanes of the True Bloods. Now, as another winter approaches, the armies of the Black Road march south, from their exile beyond the Vale of Stones. For some, war will bring a swift and violent death. Others will not hear the clash of swords or see the corpses strewn over the fields. They instead will see an opportunity to advance their own ambitions. But all, soon, will fall under the shadow that is descending. For, while the storm of battle rages, one man is following a path that will awaken a terrible power in him - and his legacy will be written in blood.

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9781841494241

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'Winterbirth is written with great assurance and tells a gripping story that builds to a grim climax. No one who enjoys heroic fantasy should miss this' - The Times 'An intriguing and imaginative story... particularly evocative' - Dreamwatch

The first installment of the Godless World trilogy, this debut from U.K. author Ruckley is epic fantasy in the mode of George R. R. Martin and R. Scott Bakker, but with some Scottish flavor.After two of the world's five races exterminated a third, the despairing gods abandoned their creation. Hundreds of years later, the great kingdom of the Huanin (i.e., humans) shattered into bickering clans, or Bloods, each ruled by a Thane, with one High Thane above them all. A further split occurred when a fisherwoman began preaching the Black Road, a harsh creed of predestination that promised the gods' return once the entire world was converted to the Road's teachings. Those Bloods that followed the Black Road also followed the path of exile into the barren northern lands bordered by the Vale of Stones. One hundred and fifty years later an invading army of Black Road Bloods determines to reclaim what once was theirs, setting off a conflict that will engulf humans, the forest-dwelling Kyrinin race and the magically gifted Huanin/Kyrinin crossbreeds known as na'kyrim. The Black Road army is a substantial threat to the so-called True Bloods, but as the plot progresses it becomes clearer (to the reader, at least) that the greatest potential danger - to all sides - is the desperately needy, always angry and extremely powerful na'kyrim Aeglyss. Well-crafted world-building and sympathetic, fully rounded characters make wading through this complicated setup (typical for such novels) worthwhile. Readers who like their fantasy dark, multi-threaded and political will sink their teeth into this one. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Brian Ruckley lives in Edinburgh. You can find out more about him and his work at www.brianruckley.com

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