RJ Barker – författare

''Swashbuckling awesomeness . . . a definite winner'' John Gwynne, author of MaliceA brilliantly imagined saga of honour, glory and warfare, Call of the Bone Ships is the captivating epic fantasy sequel to RJ Barker''s The Bone Ships.

Dragons have returned to the Hundred Isles. But their return heralds only war and destruction. When a horde of dying slaves are discovered in the bowels of a ship, Shipwife Meas and the crew of the Tide Child find themselves drawn into a vicious plot that will leave them questioning their loyalties and fighting for their lives.

The sea dragons are returning, and Joron Twiner''s dreams of freedom lie shattered. His Shipwife is gone and all he has left is revenge.Leading the black fleet from the deck of Tide Child Joron takes every opportunity to strike at his enemies, but he knows his time is limited. His fleet is shrinking and the Keyshan''s Rot is running through his body. He runs from a prophecy that says he and the avian sorcerer, the Windseer, will end the entire world.But the sea dragons have begun to return, and if you can have one miracle, who is to say that there cannot be another?''Excellent . . . one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I''ve seen in years''Adrian Tchaikovsky

***Look out for The Bone Ships, the start of a new fantasy series by RJ Barker!***''Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller'' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

TO CATCH AN ASSASSIN, USE AN ASSASSIN...

Girton Club-Foot, apprentice to the land''s best assassin, still has much to learn about the art of taking lives. But his latest mission tasks Girton and his master with a far more difficult challenge: to save a life. Someone, or many someones, is trying to kill the heir to the throne, and it is up to Girton and his master to uncover the traitor and prevent the prince''s murder. In a kingdom on the brink of civil war and a castle thick with lies Girton finds friends he never expected, responsibilities he never wanted, and a conspiracy that could destroy an entire land.

***SHORTLISTED FOR THE DAVID GEMMELL AWARDS 2018******SHORTLISTED FOR THE KITSCHIE AWARDS 2018***

''Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun'' Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant

''Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list'' James Islington, author of The Shadow of what was Lost

''Simply unputdownable . . . the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery'' Fantasy Book Review ''With an original, immersive world that wouldn''t let me go and a pair of assassins worth rooting for, Age of Assassins is a pleasure to read. I can''t wait for more!'' Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage ''A dark-humored game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides'' David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance series ''Age of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut'' Jen Williams, author of The Copper Promise ''Age of Assassins is a beguiling story of action and intrigue combined with a poignancy and humour that are as sharp as any blade'' Jon Skovron, author of Hope and Red

''Compellingly complex political intrigue and steel-sparking action sequences leavened by warm humour and genuine emotional depth'' Chris Brookmyre, author of the Jack Parlabane novels

The Wounded Kingdom trilogy begins with AGE OF ASSASSINS, continues with BLOOD OF ASSASSINS and will continue with KING OF ASSASSINS.

***Look out for The Bone Ships, the start of a new series by RJ Barker!***''Reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller'' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

TO SAVE A KING, KILL A KING . . .The assassin Girton Club-foot and his master have returned to Maniyadoc in hope of finding sanctuary, but death, as always, dogs Girton''s heels. The place he knew no longer exists. War rages across Maniyadoc, with three kings claiming the same crown - and one of them is Girton''s old friend Rufra. Girton finds himself hurrying to uncover a plot to murder Rufra on what should be the day of the king''s greatest victory. But while Girton deals with threats inside and outside Rufra''s war encampment, he can''t help wondering if his greatest enemy hides beneath his own skin.

Praise for this trilogy

''Outstanding . . . Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning'' James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost ''Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun'' Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant ''Readers will appreciate Barker''s complex mythology and smoothly flowing plot'' Publishers Weekly ''Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut'' Jennifer Williams, author of The Copper Promise ''A dark-humoured game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides'' David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance series

The Wounded Kingdom trilogy begins with AGE OF ASSASSINS, continues with BLOOD OF ASSASSINS and will continue with KING OF ASSASSINS.

***Look out for The Bone Ships, the start of a new series by RJ Barker!***''Reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller'' Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the WyldTHE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING . . .Many years of peace have passed in Maniyadoc, years of relative calm for the assassin Girton Club-Foot. Even the Forgetting Plague, which ravaged the rest of the kingdoms, seemed to pass them by. But now Rufra ap Vthyr eyes the vacant High-King''s throne and will take his court to the capital, a rat''s nest of intrigue and murder, where every enemy he has ever made will gather and the endgame of twenty years of politics and murder will be played out in his bid to become the King of all Kings.Friends become enemies, enemies become friends and the god of death, Xus the Unseen, stands closer than ever - casting his shadow over everything most dear to Girton. Praise for this trilogy ''Outstanding . . . Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning'' James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost ''Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun'' Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant ''Readers will appreciate Barker''s complex mythology and smoothly flowing plot'' Publishers Weekly ''Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut'' Jennifer Williams, author of The Copper Promise ''A dark-humoured game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides'' David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance seriesThe Wounded Kingdom trilogy begins with AGE OF ASSASSINS, continues with BLOOD OF ASSASSINS and concludes with KING OF ASSASSINS.

''Excellent . . . one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I''ve seen in years''ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY ''Brilliant'' ROBIN HOBB, author of The Assassin''s Apprentice***Winner of the Robert Holdstock Award for Best Fantasy Novel***TWO NATIONS AT WAR. A PRIZE BEYOND COMPARE. For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war. The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted. Now the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favour. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory, but the war. A brilliantly imagined saga of honour, glory, and warfare, The Bone Ships starts an epic new trilogy from David Gemmell Award-nominated RJ Barker. ''A vividly realised high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word'' EVAN WINTER, author of The Rage of Dragons ''An epic tale of duty and obligation and honour, and what bravery really means . . . I can''t recommend it enough'' PETER MCLEAN, author of Priest of Bones ''A viciously exciting adventure. I loved every second of it'' TASHA SURI, author of Empire of Sand ''Swashbuckling awesomeness . . . a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner'' JOHN GWYNNE, author of MALICE ''The Bone Ships has already built up plenty of anticipation - and with good reason ... Barker''s previous series, the acclaimed The Wounded Kingdom Trilogy, was a powerhouse of gritty fantasy, and The Bone Ships promises to launch one of this season''s greatest, grandest dragon sagas''NPR

OUR LANDS ARE WILD WITH GODS, OUR WOODS ARE WILD WITH MONSTERS . . .Cahan du Nahare is known as the forester - a humble man who can nonetheless navigate the dangerous Wyrdwood like no-one else. But once he was more. Once he was a warrior.Udinny serves the goddess of the lost, a goddess of the small and helpless. When she ventures into the Wyrdwood to find a missing child, Cahan will be her guide.But in a land at war, in a forest full of monsters - Cahan will need to choose between his past life and the one he leads now - and his choice will have consequences for his entire world.From one of the most original voices in fantasy comes the start of an epic trilogy of vicious outlaws, warring deities and an evil empire, set within the bounds of a forest out of darkest folklore. The Gods of the Wyrdwood have awoken, and their time is come.*****''An experienced novelist at the top of his game - this is Avatar meets Dune, on shrooms''SFX (rated five stars)''A splendid fantasy work, full of RJ''s trademark invention. Highly recommended''Adrian Tchaikovsky''Utterly immersive . . . there''s is still so much more left to explore in this world, and I cannot wait to return''Fantasy Hive''Barker has created a beautiful world that balances the dark and deadly with just the right amount of hope''Grimdark Magazine''A fascinating, compelling novel... with epic themes, epically strange worldbuilding, and excellent action scenes. I''m very much looking forward to the next instalment''Locus''A sweeping story of destiny and redemption. Weighty, deliberate, tender and brutal, this is a big, wonderful book and an utterly involving read''Daily Mail''A five star reading experience . . . the next book in this series cannot come soon enough''The Fantasy Review

''You fear the forest.. It is not foolish.'' His words rang like bells in the clearing, each face reacting to their din. ''But the forest does not hate you, it does not hunt you. It simply does not care about you.''The Forester known as Cahan led the village of Harn in rebellion against the all-powerful, oppressive forces of the Rai. A great victory was won, but to avoid retaliation, he must now lead the people of Harn into the forest.Cahan never wanted this responsibility, but fate and his gods have conspired against him. Without him, the people will be helpless against the great beasts and poisonous traps of the forest - not to mention worse things that dwell there. A corruption grows in the fungi and decay of the Wyrdwood, a magic unlike any Cahan has ever seen - can he resist its deadly pull, while avoiding his pursuers, and trying to turn his charges into true people of the Wyrdwood?Warlords of Wyrdwood is book two in a new fantasy trilogy set within the bounds of a forest straight out of darkest folklore - with outlaws fighting an evil empire and warring deities. RJ Barker is the British Fantasy Society Award-winning author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins.''An experienced novelist at the top of his game - this is Avatar meets Dune, on shrooms'' Five stars from SFX on Gods of the Wyrdwood''A sweeping story of destiny and redemption. Weighty, deliberate, tender and brutal, this is a big, wonderful book and an utterly involving read'' Daily Mail on Gods of the Wyrdwood