Publishers Weekly
09/18/2023
After setting up the pieces for a familiar fantasy caper, Ward (the Legacy trilogy) neatly reassembles this story into a thoughtful examination of the limits of duty and loyalty. Katija Arvish, rescued from the gutter by the effortlessly elegant thief Azra, uses the unique, magical tattoos crafted by her artist father to quiet the ifrits (soul fragments) that guard treasures and power weapons in the kingdom of Khalad. Now she aims to rob “the highest of high temples,” hoping the score will erase the debt the temple holds on her father’s estate, freeing her too. When the heist goes wrong, she’s sentenced to a public execution in the capital, Zariqaz, but is fortuitously rescued from a prison airship by rebels. This coincidence and others begin to unravel a larger political plot, exposing Khalad’s noble families as even more dangerous than their mobster confederates. Caught up in schemes, even the more powerful nobles and their faithful aides find that they can be sacrificed to keep the real players in charge of the game. Ward’s realistic street politics don’t offer simple good-vs.-bad choices, but readers will enjoy watching Katija and her allies struggle to plant their feet firmly on trusty ground in the moral quagmire. It’s a promising series launch. Agent: John Jarrold, John Jarrold Literary (Nov.)
From the Publisher
"A thoughtful examination of the limits of duty and loyalty... a promising series launch."—Publishers Weekly
"Full of action, heart, betrayal, and set in a dark, engaging world, this book continues Ward’s ability to deliver doorstopper dark fantasy that you just can’t put down."—Grimdark Magazine
"The Darkness Before Them brims with magic, monsters and intrigue, and the depth of the world is wonderfully, enthrallingly complex . . . a delight."—Ben Galley, author of the Emaneska Series
"Ward sends out the mammoth and extremely rewarding trilogy that began with Legacy of Ash with this expertly wrought epic ... Ward breathes new life into familiar tropes while convincingly maneuvering his huge cast to universally satisfying conclusions. The result is a vigorous, bravura saga." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Legacy of Light
"Hugely entertaining."—John Gwynne on Legacy of Ash
"Magnificent and epic."—Grimdark Magazine on Legacy of Ash
"Epic fantasy as it should be: big, bold and very addictive."—Starburst on Legacy of Ash
"Expertly interspersing vivid action sequences with quiet, introspective stretches, Ward guides readers and characters alike through this winding, well-crafted saga. The result is an impressive series opener."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Legacy of Ash
"As intricate as a precision-engineered watch; as surprising as a precision-engineered watch with a concealed face-stabbing mechanism."—Gareth Hanrahan on Legacy of Ash
"Epic fantasy as it should be: big, bold and very addictive."—Starburst on Legacy of Ash
"An incredibly impressive piece of fantasy fiction."—The Fantasy Inn on Legacy of Ash
"This is the first epic fantasy book I've enjoying getting immersed in for ages . . . a great romp in a brilliantly realized setting . . . I have lost sleep, forgotten food and made this the thing what I pick up every moment I can get."—SFFWorld on Legacy of Ash
"A perfect blend of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom."—FanFi Addict on Legacy of Ash
FEBRUARY 2024 - AudioFile
Sara Novak narrates the first installment of a new trilogy called The Soulfire Saga. Kat is a trained thief who is hoping to wipe out her father's debt. When a planned heist goes awry, she is sentenced to be executed and is then rescued by rebels. Everything gets much more complicated as political intrigue unfolds. The audiobook begins with the cast of characters and concludes with a glossary; both are probably useful in print but are a bit tedious to listen to, although Novak makes the best of it. Once the groundwork is laid, including the magic systems at play, Novak, a consummate storyteller, keeps the action moving. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
