Sword of Gold and Ruin (Special Edition)

Anna Smith Spark is a critically acclaimed, multi-award short-listed grimdark epic fantasy novelist. She writes lyrical prose-poetry about war, love, landscapes, and war. Her writing has been described as ‘a masterwork’ by Nightmarish Conjurings, ‘an experience like no other series in fantasy’ by Grimdark Magazine, ‘literary Game of Thrones’ by the Sunday Times, and ‘howls like early Moorcock, converses like the best of Le Guin’ by the Daily Mail. Her favourite authors are Mary Renault, R Scott Bakker and M. John Harrison

"Finishing A Sword of Gold and Ruin left me stunned just like the first novel. I had to sit with it for a while, because this isn’t the kind of book you close and forget it just crawls under your skin. [...] The prose is something else. Raw, jagged, lyrical sometimes I had to stop and reread because the words were so sharp they made me catch my breath. Other times, it felt like poetry poured straight into my bloodstream. It wasn’t always comfortable reading, but it was honest, and that honesty made it beautiful. This book reminded me why I love Grim Dark fantasy not because of the battles or the monsters (though they’re there, and they’re terrifying), but because it can hold up a mirror to our own grief, resilience, and humanity. I finished it feeling moved, and strangely grateful. For me, A Sword of Gold and Ruin wasn’t just a story it was an experience. One I’ll be carrying around in my head and heart for a long time."