With Ashman the PoV count mounts swiftly and soon exceeds Ford's. I remember struggling a little when the first 8 chapters of Richard Ford's Herald of the Storm each introduced (and stayed with) a new PoV. The defining feature of the book for me was the enormous number of point of view characters. Munro's Lady in the Helm and Jonathan French's The Grey Bastards are two others (among many) adopting a similar approach. There are magic users, clerics who heal, kobolds, griffins, goblins on wolves, elves galore.

Reminded me of Jeff Salyards' Bloodsounders' trilogy in that regard.īlack Cross has a distinctly D&D inspiration. Do you know what a heater shield is? Well, you can't cook on it or use it to warm the hovel. Ashman has a love of arms and armour, and the chance is that you will learn something new about some weapon or piece of kit. Prince of Thorns was 82,000!īlack Cross is a novel where the author's enthusiasm shines out on every page. The hardback is deceptive as it looks to be a book of medium size when in reality it is filled with tiny font and is in fact a *long* novel. And J.P isn't as tall as he looks: I'm actually leaning over on a bar stool. I don't know why I'm smiling like someone has a knife to my balls. Ashman handed me this book himself at Bristolcon Incredible magic is unleashed, allies become enemies unlikely friendships are forged, and a foul plot is discovered that will shatter the long lasting peace of Altoln and her allies, plunging them into a gritty, brutal conflict that falls far from the fluffy fairytales of old. However, even if their attempt to seek aid is successful and the city is saved, they risk revealing a secret that threatens much more than Wesson alone.įrom a fantasy world not too dissimilar to our own dark and bloody histories, the beginning of an epic tale is told. With Sergeant Falchion unable to forgive himself for aiding the wizard, and desperate factions taking advantage of the devastating aftermath, Falchion embarks on an arduous quest alongside friends and strangers alike. Alternate cover edition for ISBN 0993515401 / 9780993515408Īrcane magic can be a ruinous power, despite admirable intentions.Ī mysterious scroll finds its way into Lord Severun’s hands, enabling him to release a dangerous experiment upon Wesson.

Black powder war book