New Releases by Gail Z. Martin

Someone is hunting the hunters. Can Travis and Brent stop the monsters and figure out what''s behind the attacks before it''s too late? When ex-priest Travis Dominick and former-FBI-agent-turned-private-investigator Brent Lawson investigate a series of dangerous hauntings, they discover that something is powering up old ghosts and adding mojo to the monsters. The Sinistram seems to be at the heart of the situation, a secretive order of warrior priests sworn to fight supernatural threats. Travis left the Sinistram years ago because of the organization''s corruption and double standards. Now the group''s arcane knowledge and dangerous secrets might hold the key to stopping the hauntings, but help might come at too high a price. As the mystery unravels, Travis and Brent navigate a dangerous maze of betrayals and conflicting alliances, risking everything to uncover a supernatural cover-up that could change the balance of power between mortals and immortals forever. Sinistram is a dark urban fantasy thrill ride filled with legends and lore, forbidden magic, vengeful ghosts, secret government agencies, Vatican ninja-priests, found family, hidden libraries, psychics, mediums, witches, supernatural creatures, and an unshakable bond of friendship.

A haunted tapestry. A cursed dynasty. Dark magic, and a supernatural creature with an insatiable hunger. Cassidy Kincaide and the Deadly Curiosities crew get a call from a desperate real estate investor to un-haunt a mansion that has belonged to a family of dark witches for generations. Inside, a hidden chamber reveals a legacy of supernatural power, a dangerous tapestry woven with malicious magic and defiant ghosts that refuse to accept the house''s new ownership. When the dust settles, the family''s witch and the djinn that has influenced the dynasty''s fortunes for more than a century are missing-and bent on vengeance. A mysterious pop-up gallery sells magical tapestries to Charleston''s art collectors, but good luck quickly turns bad as the woven pieces permit the djinn to drain and kill the owners. Meanwhile, Cassidy''s best friend, Teag Logan, and his fiancé, Anthony Benton, finalize plans for their wedding, dodging mama drama and supernatural setbacks. When Cassidy and her allies go after the witch and the djinn, they find themselves targeted by magic that can bend perception and reshape reality. The psychic pain caused by the cursed tapestries fuels the power of the djinn and the dark witch, setting up a showdown with the Alliance for the soul of Charleston. Can they stop the witch, defeat the djinn, destroy the tapestries, and still make it to the wedding on time?

Loyalty. Honor. Magic. Sacrifice. Treachery and blood magic threaten King Martris Drayke''s hold on the throne he risked everything to win. As the battle against a traitor lord comes to its final days, war, plague, and betrayal bring Margolan to the brink of destruction. Civil war looms in Isencroft, forcing Kiara to make hard choices between her duty to her kingdom-by-blood and her commitments to her kingdom-by-marriage. Thrones and successions are at stake, and a wrong choice could change the history of the Winter Kingdoms forever. In Dark Haven, Lord Jonmarc Vahanian has bargained his soul for vengeance, plunging into a conflict among ancient immortals based on grudges centuries in the making. If he succeeds, Jonmarc preserves the truce, stops the bloodshed, and saves what matters most. Failure brings destruction-and dooms his soul for eternity. Dark Lady''s Chosen is an action-packed epic fantasy adventure filled with magic, occult lore, honorable ghosts, vampire politics, loyal friends, found family, bloody battles, immortal creatures, secrets, hard choices, and star-crossed love! Book Four in The Chronicles of the Necromancer

King. Necromancer. Warrior. Martris Drayke fought the usurper and defeated both the blood mage Arontala and the spirit of the Obsidian King. As the newly crowned King of Margolan, Tris must rebuild a kingdom shattered by betrayal and bloodshed. Some of the usurper''s loyalists evaded capture and remain a danger. Famine and hardship threaten to bring more chaos and divisions. And in his Court of Spirits, the necromancer king is overwhelmed by the ghosts seeking retribution and release. With their royal wedding just weeks away, Tris and Kiara Sharsequin, heir to the throne of Isencroft, will unite the rule and succession of two allied kingdoms. Not everyone is pleased to see that happen. As threats multiply, Tris and Kiara must guard against traitors and enemies both inside and outside the castle, determined to destroy them and everything they fought to gain. Meanwhile, former smuggler and mercenary Jonmarc Vahanian, the new Lord of Dark Haven, finds himself at the center of a power struggle among the undead vayash moru. As he untangles a web of deception, Jonmarc realizes that the conflict in Dark Haven threatens not only the future of the Winter Kingdoms but also the fate of the living, dead and undead. Dark Haven is an action-packed epic fantasy adventure filled with magic, occult lore, honorable ghosts, vampire politics, loyal friends, found family, bloody battles, immortal creatures, secrets, treachery, and star-crossed love! Book Three in The Chronicles of the Necromancer

Exiled prince. Mage heir. Necromancer king. Prince Martris Drayke of Margolan escaped the bloody coup that murdered his family and put his half-brother, Jared, on the throne. He fled with three close friends, found allies along the way, and gained the backing of loyal deserters, the undead vayash moru, and the vengeful ghosts of Jared''s many victims. In just one year under the usurper''s thumb, Margolan has gone from prosperity to chaos and starvation. Jared''s troops hunt down any who oppose him, filling the gibbets and scaffolds and carrying out a reign of terror. Tris has risked destruction to gain control of his spirit magic and harness his power. But when he and his allies return to Margolan, Tris must confront Foor Arontala, Jared''s blood mage, and stop him from freeing the soul of the Obsidian King from its crystal prison. If Tris fails, Arontala will set the Obsidian King free and take on his power, becoming unstoppable and destroying the last chance to free Margolan from Jared''s rule. Can Tris stand against the blood magic of the Obsidian King to take back the throne and save his kingdom-or will his half-mastered magic bring about an even greater destruction? The Blood King is an action-packed epic fantasy adventure filled with magic, occult lore, honorable ghosts, loyal friends, found family, bloody battles, immortal creatures, secrets, treachery, forbidden love-and a necromancer hero! Book Two in The Chronicles of the Necromancer

Prince. Fugitive. Exile. Necromancer. Martris Drayke, second son of King Bricen of Margolan, never coveted the crown. But when his older half-brother Jared and Jared''s dark mage kill the king and the rest of the royal family, seizing the throne, Tris''s comfortable world shatters and he finds himself running for his life. Tris flees with three friends: Soterius, captain of the guard; Carroway, the court''s master bard; and Harrtuck, a member of the royal guard. They seek sanctuary and the chance to plot the overthrow of the usurper, gaining unexpected helpers along the way. Tris has a secret-one that might well determine the fate of Margolan and the Winter Kingdoms. In a land where spirits walk openly and influence the affairs of the living, he is the mage heir to the power of his grandmother, Bava K''aa, once the greatest sorceress of her age. That magic makes Tris a Summoner, arbiter between the living and the dead. Can a half-trained mage-prince and his unlikely allies take back his kingdom and avenge his family-or will his wild power destroy him before he has the chance to set things right? The Summoner is an action-packed epic fantasy adventure filled with magic, occult lore, honorable ghosts, loyal friends, found family, immortal creatures, secrets, curses, forbidden love-and a necromancer hero!

Undertaker brothers fight the monsters who killed their family and uncover a dark secret that could destroy a kingdom. When Corran, Rigan, and their friends became outlaw monster hunters and fled beyond the walls of Ravenwood City, they thought they had defeated the source of the abominations that killed so many of their friends and loved ones. But the more successful they become at destroying the creatures, the more they realize that greater evil is at work-larger and more terrifying than they ever imagined. The city state of Ravenwood is wealthy, powerful, and corrupt. Ambitious and ruthless leaders use betrayal and assassination to gain their ends. Blood magic conjures monsters to further the goals of the ruling class, and stolen power is paid for by the deaths of commoners. But now the magic extracts too high a toll, merchant princes scheme against each other, smugglers and pirates threaten the trade that holds the kingdom together, and old alliances shatter. Darkhurst''s wastrel king seems ill-suited to stop the collapse of the merchant league and the kingdom itself. When fanatic priests begin a reign of terror to summon ravenous beings and cause the unmaking of the world, Corran, Rigan, and their friends face an impossible task. They must bind the monstrous First Being, stop the priests from bringing about their blood-soaked reckoning, and put a king on the throne that will end the cull forever. The price of failure is the destruction of Darkhurst and the world itself. Reckoning is the fast-paced, action-packed conclusion to a monster-filled fantasy adventure with non-stop twists and turns, loyal brothers, found family, forbidden magic, vengeful ghosts, high-stakes intrigue, and dangerous secrets set in a vibrantly visualized world.

Sunken treasure, haunted shipwrecks, experimental technology, and steam-powered adventure! When Brand & Desmet airlift occult valuables out of Havana during the 1898 naval conflict with Spain, they get far more than they expected. A shipwreck with experimental tech and magical relics sparks a race to retrieve the goods-and the winner might turn the tide of the war and the balance of power. Jake Desmet, Rick Brand, Nicki LeClercq, quirky inventor Adam Farber, and agents from the Department of Supernatural Investigation race goons, ghouls, and ghosts to salvage the cargo, finding themselves in the crosshairs as attacks come from all sides. Amid the struggle for control of the Caribbean, supernatural forces battle for the upper hand. European warlocks covet the spoils of war, while the island witch dynasties seek to break free of foreign empires. Can Rick, Jake, and their friends retrieve the missing shipment, or will dark magic and betrayal sink their chances? Spark of Destiny is a steampunk action/adventure filled with clockwork creatures, armed airships, vengeful ghosts, cursed relics, strange cryptids, nefarious schemes, found family, loyal friends, and plenty of explosions!

Here Comes the Sun! Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, violent storms, and excessive heat. The future seems bleak...but there are signs of hope. In Solar Flare , we ask you to step into a world where we have managed to mitigate or even reverse the disastrous effects of climate change and our own destruction of our world. Race down the depleted waterway of the Mississippi in a solar-, wind-, and water-powered boat. Sail through the skies in a floating hydroponic dirigible. Skim along a solar-powered road in order to expose a corporation''s secret. Hover weightless in space in a last-ditch effort to repair an umbrella-like solar collector. Or cower in a shelter as fire rages outside...only to emerge and discover the rebirth such fire can bring. Experience all of this and more in these seventeen solarpunk stories brought to you by today''s hottest authors, including David Keener, Anthony W. Eichenlaub, Sarena Ulibarri, Jason Palmatier, Lauren C. Teffeau, S.C. Butler, Devan Barlow, Chaz Brenchley, Liam Hogan, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Christopher R. Muscato, Rhondi Salsitz, Ember Randall, Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Kristine Smith, and Anthony Lowe. Time to turn the tide and dream of a better future.

Hell with the lid off. Jake Desmet and Rick Brand, heirs to the Brand & Desmet Import Company, travel the world to secure treasures and unusual items for the collections of wealthy and supernatural patrons, accompanied by Jake''s cousin, Veronique "Nicki" LeClercq. Smuggling a small package as a favor for a Polish witch should have been easy. But when assassins come after Jake and a Ripper-style killer leaves the city awash in blood, Jake, Rick, and Nicki realize that dark magic, vampire power struggles, and industrial sabotage are just a prelude to a bigger plot that threatens New Pittsburgh and the world. New Pittsburgh in 1898 is a crucible of invention and intrigue, the hub of American industry at the height of its steam-driven power. Born from the ashes of devastating fire, flood, and earthquake, New Pittsburgh is ruled by the shadow government of The Oligarchy. In the abandoned mine tunnels beneath the city, supernatural creatures hide from the light, emerging to feed in the smoky city known as "hell with the lid off" while their masters scheme to change the balance of power. Stopping that scheme will require every ounce of Jake''s courage, every bit of Rick''s cunning, every scintilla of Nicki''s bravura, and all the steam-powered innovation imaginable. Iron & Blood is a steampunk action adventure filled with daring escapades, armed airships, vengeful vampires, mysterious magic, found family, mad doctors, quirky inventors, clockwork zombies, and loyal friends.

Together for the first time in one volume, books three and four in the bestselling Chronicles Of The Necromancer series!Dark HavenKing. Necromancer. Warrior.Martris Drayke fought the Usurper and defeated both the blood mage Arontala and the spirit of the Obsidian King. As the newly-crowned King of Margolan, Tris must rebuild a kingdom shattered by betrayal and bloodshed. Meanwhile, former smuggler and mercenary Jonmarc Vahanian, the new Lord of Dark Haven, finds himself at the center of a power struggle among the undead vayash moru. Jonmarc realizes that the conflict in Dark Haven threatens not only the future of the Winter Kingdoms but also the fate of the living, dead, and undead. Dark Lady''s ChosenLoyalty. Honor. Magic. Sacrifice.Treachery and blood magic threaten King Martris Drayke''s hold on the throne he risked everything to win. As the battle against a traitor lord comes to its final days, war, plague, and betrayal bring Margolan to the brink of destruction.In Dark Haven, Lord Jonmarc Vahanian has bargained his soul for vengeance, plunging into a conflict among ancient immortals based on grudges centuries in the making. If he succeeds, Jonmarc preserves the truce, stops the bloodshed, and saves what matters most. Failure brings destruction-and dooms his soul for eternity.

When you ask a god for favors, be careful what you wish for. You just might get it. From the bloody steel mill strikes of Pennsylvania rose a true man of steel, a steelworker transformed into something more by the power of the old gods. Josef Magarac was a brave man, a strong man, a hard-working immigrant who only wanted a better life for his family. Then he was murdered, and an ancient Slavic god brought him back to life, gave him new abilities, and a mission to protect those who can''t protect themselves. Now he''s Joe Mack, and together with his allies, Secret Service agent Jack West and heiress Sarah Grace McAllen Harringworth, he handles the hard cases the regular feds won''t touch like magic-wielding mobsters, Lovecraftian monsters, and secret supernatural societies. The Joe Mack Adventures: Volume One is a non-stop thrill ride full of paranormal action, found family, dark magic, and loyal friends. This is a collection of four books in the Joe Mack Shadow Council Files by award-winning author team Gail Z. & Larry N. Martin, authors of the Spells, Salt, & Steel and the Wasteland Marshals series. The Shadow Council Case Files are historical fantasy novellas set in the world of Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter, that tell the true stories behind the tall tales surrounding some of the world''s most famous (and infamous) folk heroes. This collection includes Cauldron, Black Sun, Chicagoland, and Spellbound.

Monster hunter and mechanic Mark Wojcik has his hands full protecting innocent monsters from horrible people and innocent people from horrible monsters. His corner of rural Pennsylvania used to be relatively quiet-except for the ghosts, trolls, gnomes, and snallygasters. Then the Mob wars between the vampires and werewolves spilled over from the big city, along with supernatural bounty hunters, necromancer narcos, a monster trafficking ring, paranormal bookies, warring secret government agencies, and wicked witches. To rein in the chaos, Mark will need to call on all his resources - Father Leo, Donny the Werewolf, the Scooby Gang of supernaturally-talented young adults he mentors, and other friends with the kind of special talents to handle things that go bump in the night. They''re making it up as they go, breaking all the rules, and kicking monster butt. Spells, Salt, and Steel Season 2 is a high-energy, horror-comedy action-packed adventure filled with creepy cryptids, spooky magic, supernatural secrets, paranormal plots, found family, loyal friends, haunted houses, helpful ghosts, sneaky secret agents, and lots of explosions! This comedy urban fantasy series takes place in the universe of John G. Hartness''s Bubba the Monster Hunter series and shares crossovers with other Falstaff Books titles by Eric R Asher, J.D. Blackrose, and Theresa Glover in the New Templar Knights universe. The first volume, Spells, Salt, & Steel Season 1, is also available from Falstaff Books.

Buddy flick epic fantasy! The fourth in the Assassins of Landria series from the award-winning, bestselling author of Scourge: A Novel of Darkhurst and The Chronicles of The Necromancer. A vacant throne. A dark mystic intent on the crown. Two fugitive assassins risking everything to save the kingdom that exiled them. Rule-breaking, unconventional assassins Joel "Ridge" Breckenridge and Garrett "Rett" Kennar are caught between dangerous allies and deadly enemies as the future of Landria hangs in the balance. The council of regents controlled by the Witch Lord threatens the succession after King Kristoph''s murder. Rett escaped his brutal captors scarred in body and mind. Now he''s struggling to control the untested powers unleashed by his ordeal and dream walks to a hidden cloister full of forbidden magic. Falsely accused of treason, Ridge hunts the mage who damaged Rett and uncovers a terrifying new threat. Can a desperate gamble by outlaws and exiles avenge the king and save the crown? Exile''s Quest is an action-packed epic adventure filled with loyal friends, honorable fugitives, secret sanctuaries, hidden magic, and unexpected explosions.

The world ended. Then things really got tough. Shane Collins and Lucas Maddox were US Marshals. Before. Before the world ended. Before civilization crumbled. Before there were monsters. Before circumstances made them something other than human themselves. Now they''re still Marshals, but they ride through the wreckage of what once was the United States, helping the ragged groups of survivors they find survive against the challenges of a world gone insane, and the people who still want to exploit others. Because as long as there are people, there will be predators. And as long as there are predators, there will be men and women who stand against them. Lucas and Shane are two of those people. They are now the Wasteland Marshals. Wasteland Marshals Volume One collects the first four stories in the new post-apocalyptic buddy cop series from international best-selling author team Gail Z. and Larry N. Martin, creators of the Spells, Salt, & Steel series, and The Chronicles of the Necromancer series, among many other thrilling titles. Full of action, magic, intrigue, and found family, Wasteland Marshals is a perfect book for fans of Supernatural and Jericho.

Demon-hunting former priest Travis Dominick works with the misfit psychics of the Night Vigil to fight supernatural creatures and malicious paranormal activity. When a series of disappearances, suicides, and vengeful spirits cause havoc, Travis teams up with former soldier and monster-hunter Brent Lawson to end the problem with extreme prejudice.

First in the new Assassins of Landria series from the award-winning, bestselling author of Scourge: A Novel of Darkhurst, and the Chronicles Of The Necromancer books!Friends since their orphanage childhood, Joel "Ridge" Breckinridge and Garrett "Rett" Kennard rose through the ranks of the Landrian army together, from teenaged conscripts to seasoned fighters. Together, they became the most feared team of assassins in Landria, surviving longer that most in their profession by virtue of excellent fighting skills, legendary bravado, peerless strategy, and an uncanny synchronicity. Henri, their long-suffering squire, tends to the thankless jobs of provisioning and logistics, while Ridge and Rett fight and recover.When wandering mystic Yefim Makary becomes the darling of disenchanted aristocrats, Rett and Ridge fear Makary-or the Witch Lord, as his followers call him-is a threat to the crown. As treasonous whispers spread, Ridge and Rett go rogue to stop the threat, save the kingdom and protect the king-while landing on the "Most Wanted" list themselves!

The carp-slapping, grenade-launching son of a gun Mark Wojcik is back, and this time he''s going hunting! When there''s trouble in the Pennsylvania wilds, there''s only one person to call. It''s out of Bubba''s jurisdiction, so the monster mashing falls on part-time mechanic, part-time cryptic killer Mark Wojcik. He''s got a gun, a cast of supporting characters you won''t believe, and more ammunition than you can shake a stick at. This time, there''s something funky happening in the woods, and Mark is about to learn more about hunting, and The Hunt, than he ever wanted to! Set in the popular Bubba the Monster Hunter universe, the New Templar Knights novellas are comedic horror/urban fantasy tales of ordinary men and women battling to keep the world safe against the things that go bump in the night, often trying to balance normal lives with extraordinary side gigs. Fans of Bubba, Mason Dixon Monster Hunter, and the Monster Hunter Mom Jess Friedman will enjoy Mark Wojcik''s hilarious adventures.

Are you ready for a change-or is change coming for you, ready or not? Whether you''re looking for more satisfaction in your professional and personal life or whether a layoff, reorganization, relocation, or retirement is pushing you to make a move, starting over can be intimidating-until you realize that a Fresh Start could be the best thing that ever happened to you!In this book, you''ll meet 41 amazing people-people just like you-who faced the need to make a big change and found their purpose in life. Along the way they redeu00ad fined what real success meant to them, and discovered hidden talents and their hearts'' desire-to make a difference in the world and create deep, personal satisfaction, and fiu00ad nancial security.They did it-and so can you. Fresh Start Success shares the strategies and the six essenu00ad tial behaviors that these "reinventors" have in common that enabled their success-tips you can use to create a successful and fulfilling shift in your work, life and purpose.It''s your time to shine. Make the most of it!

What might we run into as we expand beyond Earth and into the stars? As we explore our own solar system and beyond, it seems inevitable that we''ll run into aliens ... and what they''ve left behind. Alien artifacts: what might they reveal about us as we try to unlock their secrets? What might they reveal about the universe? In this anthology, nineteen of today''s leading science fiction and fantasy authors explore how discovering long lost relics of alien civilizations might change humanity. Join Walter H. Hunt, Julie Novakova, David Farland, Angela Penrose, S.C. Butler, Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin, Juliet E. McKenna, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Andrija Popovic, Jacey Bedford, Sofie Bird, James Van Pelt, Gini Koch, Anthony Lowe, Jennifer Dunne, Coral Moore, Daniel J. Davis, C.S. Friedman, and Seanan McGuire as they discover the stars and the secrets they may hold—both dark and deadly and awe-inspiring.

When aliens reach Earth, they encounter the clockwork mechanisms and Victorian sensibilities of a full-blown steampunk civilization. Inspired by the classic science fiction adventure tales of the nineteenth century, leading fantasy and science fiction authors bring us tales of first contact with a twist, as steam power meets laser cannons...and dirigibles face off against flying saucers. Clockwork Universe contains fourteen stories from some of the genre''s top authors, including: Ian Tregillis, Leah Cutter, Bradley P. Beaulieu, J.R. Hargenrader, Gini Koch, Jason Palmatier, C.B. Pratt, Jean Marie Ward, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin, David J. Fortier, Brad Hafford, S.C. Butler, and Seanan McGuire. So pour yourself that cup of tea, settle on those spectacles, sit back, and get ready to have your gaskets blown.

NOTHING AHEAD BUT VENGEANCE - NOTHING BEHIND BUT BLOOD Soldier. Fight slave. Smuggler. Warrior. Brigand Lord. You may have encountered Jonmarc Vahanian in the Chronicles of the Necromancer but you don’t really know him until you walk in his footsteps. This is the start of his epic journey. A blacksmith’s son in a small fishing village before raiders killed his amily, Jonmarc was wounded and left for dead in the attack. He tried to rebuild his life, but when a dangerous bargain with a shadowy stranger went wrong, he found himself on the run. Gail Z. Martin returns to the world of her internationally best-selling books with these thrilling ales of adventure and high fantasy, collected together here for the very first time. OVER HALF A MILLION CHRONICLES OF THE NECROMANCER BOOKS SOLD

A collection of short stories all about that imagination-spurring garment, the corset.

Explore the origins of Blaine McFadden and his allies in this short story prequel to the epic Ascendant Kingdoms Saga from Gail Z. Martin. Condemned to exile in an arctic prison colony for murdering his sister''s attacker, Blaine McFadden has lost everything — his title, his family and his fiancéé. Velant Prison holds the worst of the kingdom''s convicts, overseen by brutal guards who are exiles themselves. When a sadistic guard takes things too far, Blaine''s insubordination makes him a target of the prison''s notorious commander. To survive, Blaine needs to rely on his wits and his fists — and a few good friends to watch his back. Praise for the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga "Epic fantasy as it was meant to be read: gripping, action packed, and larger than life. A delight for any fan of the genre!" —Rachel Aaron "Epic fantasy at its best." —Aaron Rosenberg "A vivid, engrossing tapestry woven from epic heroism, post apocalypse struggles, perilous magic and darkest fantasy. A distinct and distinctive achievement." —Juliet McKenna "A book that will take over readers'' thoughts until long after the final page." — RT Book Reviews The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga Ice Forged Reign of Ash War of Shadows Shadow and Flame No Reprieve

The acclaimed fantasy author delivers "the perfect conclusion to a truly epic tale" as a struggling kingdom faces the ultimate threat (Michael J. Sullivan, author of the Riyria novels). Blaine McFadden and his allies have brought magic back under mortal command and begun to restore order to the beleaguered kingdom of Donderath. Now, new perils and old enemies gather. Foreign invaders, a legendary dark mage and vengeful immortals fight Blaine''s battered forces for control of the continent, and Blaine''s weary army is the only thing standing between a kingdom struggling to rise from the ashes and a descent into fury and darkness. This is the final reckoning.

Third in the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga—a tale of unpredictable magic, battling warlords, and the lust for vengeance. "Epic fantasy at its best." —Aaron Rosenberg, author of The Relicant Chronicles Amidst the shadows, chaos reigns. Blaine "Mick" McFadden managed to partially restore Donderath''s magic, but not without a cost. He and the magic are now bound together, and the power remains dangerous and erratic—draining the life from him with every use. New threats are rising from the wreckage of the battered kingdoms, and warlords both mortal and undead vie for control. Now, Blaine and his unlikely band of convict heroes must find allies amidst seas of enemies, and discover a way to rebind magic to the will of mortals before it destroys him. And time is running out. . . "Epic fantasy as it was meant to be read: gripping, action packed, and larger than life. A delight for any fan of the genre!" —Rachel Aaron, author of the Tear Down Heaven novels Gail Z. Martin''s Ascendant Kingdoms Saga Ice Forged (#1) Reign of Ash (#2) War of Shadows (#3) Shadow and Flame (#4)

An exile''s quest for vengeance continues in a world of unpredictable magic and battling warlords in this second entry in the exciting fantasy adventure series. " Reign of Ash is a book that will take over readers'' thoughts until long after the final page, as they anxiously await for the final installment." ― RT Book Reviews Survival is just the beginning. Blaine McFadden endured six long years in the brutal Velant prison colony, exiled for murder. War devastated his homeland of Donderath and destroyed the magic on which the Ascendant Kingdoms relied. Now Blaine and a small group of fellow exiles have returned to a lawless wasteland, where unrestrained magic storms wreak havoc and monsters roam free. Yet, amidst the chaos, rumors persist of a new magic that could restore the kingdoms. But the key lies with a dangerous, ancient ritual and a group of vanished survivors. Now McFadden''s only hope is a small, desperate, quickly rallied army. Together they must make one last stand knowing that if they fail, the civilization of the Ascendant Kingdoms dies with them.