Markus Heitz – författare

»Jag stiger upp ur djupet som en fredlös gudinna ur underjorden, ur mörkret in i stormen.«

Leipzig, 2007. Syster Theresia vakar vid de döende och följer dem det sista stycket av vägen -- men ingen på sjukhuset anar vem hon egentligen är. Ung, vacker och frisk -- för evigt. Det låter som en välsignelse, men för Theresia har evigheten sedan länge förvandlats till en förbannelse. Hon längtar bara efter en sak: att få sluta ögonen och aldrig mer vakna. Men det är henne inte givet. Hennes skuld är för stor, det ansvar hon bär alltför tungt. Under dödsnattens långa, ensamma timmar skriver hon ned sin historia för att lätta bördan. Den tar sin början år 1670 i Serbien, med en liten flicka som dras in i Judas barn, ett hemligt sällskap av lärda forskare och... vampyrer.

De tre romanerna om Judas barn bygger bland annat på verkliga rättegångsprotokoll från tidigt 1700-tal och på den rika östeuropeiska vampyrmytologin, som Markus Heitz även behandlat i en egen faktabok. Judas barn är den första av hans romaner som översätts till svenska, och de båda uppföljarna Judas son och Judas döttrar utkommer under 2026 och 2027. Heitz har nått internationell ryktbarhet med fantasyserien The Dwarves, och hans böcker finner nu väg till allt fler språk.

Markus Heitz, född 1971 i Homburg, är en av Tysklands mest framgångsrika och mångsidiga författare inom fantasy, skräck och mörk samtidsfantastik. Han är utbildad historiker och germanist, något som präglar hela hans författarskap: Heitz bygger ofta sina romaner på historiska källor, dokumenterade myter och verkliga händelser, och använder dem som grund för komplexa, moderna berättelser med stark atmosfär. Internationellt slog han igenom med Den svarta alfen och framför allt den storsäljande bokserien The Dwarves, som gett honom läsare i hela världen och översatts till ett stort antal språk. Sedan dess har han fortsatt att utvidga sitt universum av mörk fantasy och skräck, och under de senaste åren har han dessutom skrivit uppskattade urban fantasy och vampyrthrillers som placerar det övernaturliga mitt i vår tid. De tre böckerna om »Judas barn« hör till hans mest fascinerande projekt. De bygger på rättegångsprotokoll från tidigt 1700-tal och på östeuropeisk vampyrmytologi, ett ämne Heitz även behandlat i en egen faktabok, vilket visar hans unika förmåga att förena historisk research med moderna skräckmotiv.

KRITIKERRÖSTER

»Mixen av historisk vetenskaplighet och övernaturliga legender får mig att gå igång ordentligt och de 300 första sidorna kan vara den bästa läsupplevelsen i år.« Henrik Elstad, LitteraturMagazinet

»Det är spännande, extremt blodigt och jäkligt bra faktiskt. Jag har saknat Anne Rices släktträdslånga vampyrromaner där vampyrerna lever långsamt, länge och liderligt. Judas barn är möjligen en smula mer våldsam och utmålar inte vampyrerna som några romantiska vackra homoerotiska gudar som Rice ibland gör men jag älskar att inte Judas barn enbart utspelar sig i vår tid.« Stringhyllan

»Faktiskt är det historien och teorierna om vetenskap och religion som är bland det mest intressanta med den här boken. Det historiska är inte bara en fond utan inlemmas i berättelsen på ett ibland väldigt snyggt sätt Judas barn är något av en smältdegel för faktisk historia och vampyriska föreställningar som går lika långt tillbaka i tiden. Som en röd tråd finns också Scylla, en ambivalent karaktär som skvätter blod på sida efter sida men som ändå någonstans vinner åtminstone delar av min sympati. Jag gillar att det onda inte är svart eller vitt i Judas barn, jag gillar att varenda karaktär verkar ha lite av både och i sig Judas barn är spännande läsning, en intressant väg genom historiens vingslag och början på en trilogi jag definitivt kommer fortsätta följa.« Eli läser och skriver

THE INTERNATIONAL FANTASY BESTSELLER The dwarves have gone to battle and they have been victorious. But outside the realm, dark forces are working . . .A secret army of Orcs, made immortal by the hidden powers of the Black Water, now marches towards Girdlegard, set to unleash its fury upon the kingdom. Sooner than they realise, Tungdil and his comrades will need to summon all their courage to do battle against this bloodthirsty horde.The Orcs are not the only threat. An unspeakable new power is growing and threatens the very existence of the dwarves. But both enemies have forgotten one very important truth: a dwarf is never more dangerous than when total obliteration seems inevitable . . .The international bestselling fantasy epic continues.Other books by Markus Heitz:The DwarvesThe Revenge of the DwarvesThe Fate of the DwarvesThe Triumph of the DwarvesRighteous FuryDevastating HateDark PathsRaging StormAera book''s one to ten

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING FANTASY EPICFor countless millennia, the dwarves of the have defended the stone gateway into Girdlegard. Many and varied foes have hurled themselves against the portal and died attempting to breach it. No man or beast has ever succeeded. Until now . . .Abandoned as a child, Tungdil the blacksmith labors contentedly in the land of Ionandar, the only dwarf in a kingdom of men. Although he does not want for friends, Tungdil is very much aware that he is alone -- indeed, he has not so much as set eyes on another dwarf. But all that is about to change.Sent out into the world to deliver a message and reacquaint himself with his people, the young foundling finds himself thrust into a battle for which he has not been trained. Not only his own safety, but the life of every man, woman and child in Girdlegard depends upon his ability to embrace his heritage. Although he has many unanswered questions, Tungdil is certain of one thing: no matter where he was raised, he is a true dwarf.And no one has ever questioned the courage of the Dwarves.The international bestselling fantasy epic now available in English for the first time.The Dwarves series:The DwarvesThe War of the DwarvesThe Revenge of the DwarvesThe Fate of the DwarvesThe Triumph of the Dwarves

Life has not been easy for battle-weary Tungdil the dwarf. But this heroic warrior can''t rest yet, as he must now face the most formidable enemy the kingdom has ever encountered.A new evil is terrorising the land of Girdlegard. Monstrous hybrid creatures are on the rampage, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. They are out to steal an artefact which is vital for the kingdom''s defence, and whoever holds it could control the world.With the existence of the dwarves under threat, Tungdil must resort to his trusty double axe and risk everything he knows to save his country from annihilation . . .Hold your breath for THE REVENGE OF THE DWARVES, the next thrilling instalment in this spectacular epic from international bestselling author Markus Heitz.Other books by Markus Heitz:The DwarvesThe War of the DwarvesThe Fate of the DwarvesThe Triumph of the DwarvesRighteous FuryDevastating HateDark PathsRaging StormAera book''s one to ten

For the last time, the dwarves are going to war - and the outcome will decide the fate of their race. There has been no word from the brave warrior Tungdil since the vicious battle at the Black Abyss. Dragons, magicians, and the malevolent älfar have advanced far into the kingdom of Girdlegard, ruthlessly seizing vast areas of land. The dwarves seem to be facing their next battle with little hope of survival. But then the inexplicable happens. A dwarf dressed in black armour returns from the abyss with a formidable army in tow. He calls himself Tungdil, and for his most loyal friend Ireheart and his allies, this means a new hope. But soon doubts begin to arise . . . Could this really be Tungdil, or is this warrior following his own dark agenda? It is a question of the future of Girdlegard - and the future of all the dwarves.The concluding novel in the international bestselling Dwarves series.Other books by Markus Heitz:The DwarvesThe War of the DwarvesThe Revenge of the DwarvesThe Triumph of the DwarvesRighteous FuryDevastating HateDark PathsRaging StormAera book''s one to ten

When his beloved only daughter goes missing, millionaire entrepreneur Walter van Dam calls in a team of experts - including free-climbers, a geologist, a parapsychologist, even a medium - to find her . . . for Anna-Lena has disappeared somewhere within a mysterious cave system under the old house the family abandoned years ago. But the rescuers are not the only people on her trail - and there are dangers in the underground labyrinth that no one could ever have foreseen.In a gigantic cavern the team come across a number of strange doors, three of them marked with enigmatic symbols. Anna-Lena must be behind one of them - but time is running out and they need to choose, quickly. Anna-Lena is no longer the only person at risk.Who could have imagined that the portal marked with ! would take the rescuers into a different time completely: it is now the early Middle Ages - and they are about to find themselves in the middle of a world-changing battle . . .DOORS: THREE DOORS, THREE DIFFERENT ADVENTURES. WHICH DOOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?

When his beloved only daughter goes missing, millionaire entrepreneur Walter van Dam calls in a team of experts - including free-climbers, a geologist, a parapsychologist, even a medium - to find her . . . for Anna-Lena has disappeared somewhere within a mysterious cave system under the old house the family abandoned years ago. But the rescuers are not the only people on her trail - and there are dangers in the underground labyrinth that no one could ever have foreseen.In a gigantic cavern the team come across a number of strange doors, three of them marked with enigmatic symbols. Anna-Lena must be behind one of them - but time is running out and they need to choose, quickly. Anna-Lena is no longer the only person at risk.They little expect door ? to take them back to the 1940s - but this is not the 1940s they know. In this timeline, Nazi Germany capitulated early, the US has taken control of Europe and is threatening the Russian-led Resistance with a nuclear strike. If the team is to rescue Anna-Lena - and survive themselves - they will have to stop this madness - at all costs!DOORS: THREE DOORS, THREE DIFFERENT ADVENTURES. WHICH DOOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?

When his beloved only daughter goes missing, millionaire entrepreneur Walter van Dam calls in a team of experts - including free-climbers, a geologist, a parapsychologist, even a medium - to find her . . . for Anna-Lena has disappeared somewhere within a mysterious cave system under the old house the family abandoned years ago. But the rescuers are not the only people on her trail - and there are dangers in the underground labyrinth that no one could ever have foreseen.In a gigantic cavern the team come across a number of strange doors, three of them marked with enigmatic symbols. Anna-Lena must be behind one of them - but time is running out and they need to choose, quickly. Anna-Lena is no longer the only person at risk.The team knew their mission would be perilous - but how do you defeat your own demons? Trapped in their own nightmares, their only hope of escape is DOOR X, which leads to a threatening vision of the future . . .DOORS: THREE DOORS, THREE DIFFERENT ADVENTURES. WHICH DOOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Hundreds of cycles have passed in Girdlegard since Tungdil Goldhand vanished. The dwarf Goïmron works as a gem carver in the city of Mallenias Watch. He is particularly fascinated by the old times, the great times of the five dwarf tribes, and so spends his spare time searching the markets for records and artefacts for clues about their proud history.And then Goïmron comes across an extraordinary book. The wealth of detail it contains leaves no doubt that the book must have been written by the heroic Tungdil Goldhand himself. But, impossibly, the last entry seems to be recent. . . When Goïmron sets out in search of the legendary dwarf, he and his troop of companions soon find themselves in the middle of ancient intrigues and brutal power struggles between ruthless humans, mysterious albae - and dragons.Once again, the land of Girdlegard needs the wisdom, humour, fighting spirit and stubbornness of the dwarves. Heroes old and new will accept the challenge . . . but will the dwarves rise again?

The hero Tungdil Goldhand vanished years ago. Until the gem-carver Goïmron discovers Tungdil''s diary . . . and finds that the last entries are terrifyingly recent. Goïmron gathers a small band of trusted companions, and they set off to find Tungdil and save Girdlegard from the mysterious Albae.But the story''s only half-over. Brabandor''s on the trail of something extraordinary; Rodana is trying to change her fate, and Klaey remains an unknown quantity: his lust for power is unparalleled, and he''ll do anything to get it. And the most worrying question of all . . . will their quest, change Goïmron himself?The epic conclusion to the story begun in The Return of the Dwarves Book 1, filled with action, adventure, and a discovery that might change life in Girdlegard for everyone . . . forever.

''A perfect mix of scares, evil and subtle horror'' Thrilling StoriesRetired gambler Tadeus Boch has just come into possession of a mysterious playing card, apparently from a very rare eighteenth-century deck. He immediately becomes obsessed with tracking down the entire set of cards, rumoured to be the one pack in the world for the legendary game Supérieur . . . and said to be created by the Devil himself. But Boch is not the only person searching for the missing cards. And the more he learns about the game, the more dangerous the chase becomes. It''s not long before Boch realises he''s playing for the highest stakes he''s ever wagered: nothing less than his own life.''A finely balanced mixture of sophisticated horror elements, historical references and fast-paced action scenes. Markus Heitz whips his readers through a stirring adventure until the spectacular showdown'' Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

An action-packed mystery adventure by Germany''s Number One bestselling author: choose your adventure when you open DOOR ?, DOOR ! or DOOR X. This omnibus edition includes Doors ? Colony, Doors X Twilight and Doors ! Field of Blood.When his beloved only daughter goes missing, millionaire entrepreneur Walter van Dam calls in a team of experts - including free-climbers, a geologist, a parapsychologist, even a medium - to find her . . . for Anna-Lena has disappeared somewhere within a mysterious cave system under the old house the family abandoned years ago. But the rescuers are not the only people on her trail - and there are dangers in the underground labyrinth that no one could ever have foreseen.In a gigantic cavern the team come across a number of strange doors, three of them marked with enigmatic symbols. Anna-Lena must be behind one of them - but time is running out and they need to choose, quickly. Anna-Lena is no longer the only person at risk.They little expect each of the three doors to lead to a different iteration of the world - one in the past, one in the future and one who knows where - but if the team is to rescue Anna-Lena (and survive themselves) they will have to stop this madness - at all costs!DOORS: THREE DOORS, THREE DIFFERENT ADVENTURES. WHICH DOOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?

The first in the fast-and-furious fantasy adventure The Legends of the Älfar: the worlds of the dark elves and the dwarves collide in what Malazan Empire calls ''Tolkien with a dash of Gemmell and a sprinkling of George R.R. Martin''.The elves, dwarves and humans all know the älfar to be dark, relentless warriors. This is their time. In Dson Faïmon, the realm of the älfar, the warriors are planning a military campaign. Caphalor and Sinthoras are looking to enlist a powerful demon to strengthen their army - but the two älfar have very different goals. While Caphalor is determined to defend the borders of their empire and no more, the ambitious Sinthoras is intent on invasion: and he has the kingdoms of dwarves, elves and men firmly in his sights.Righteous Fury is the first book in bestselling author Markus Heitz''s The Legends of the Älfar series.