Chronicles of the Black Gate Series by Phil Tucker, J.P. Ashman, Dyrk Ashton, David Benem, Ben Galley, T.L. Greylock, Jeffrey Hall, Laura M. Hughes, Alec Hutson, Steven Kelliher, Michael R. Miller, Bryce O'Connor, Benedict Patrick, Mike Shel, Timandra Whitecastle

With an introduction by Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns and Red Sister.Hidden pasts. Secrets untold. Legends half-remembered. Fifteen fantasy writers gather to bring fifteen tales to life, each one a unique glimpse into a wholly original world.On the Emerald Road, a dead Sage triggers a brutal trial beneath the forest floor. There, a young man must fight--and kill--both friends and enemies to become the next wielder of the fabled Emerald Blade... moreWith an introduction by Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns and Red Sister.Hidden pasts. Secrets untold. Legends half-remembered. Fifteen fantasy writers gather to bring fifteen tales to life, each one a unique glimpse into a wholly original world.On the Emerald Road, a dead Sage triggers a brutal trial beneath the forest floor. There, a young man must fight--and kill--both friends and enemies to become the next wielder of the fabled Emerald Blade.In Midgard, a priestess of humble birth forges a strange bond with an ancient being as she searches for justice in a land that often rewards cruelty, betrayal, and bloodshed.And in the Yarnsworld, the Magpie King teaches two brothers a dangerous lesson about the power of stories. Sticks and stones may indeed break bones...but they cannot hurt the Bramble Man.In worlds ravaged by flood, fire, and frost, mere mortals strive to make their own legends amidst demons and deities a like. And in lands racked with human strife--where evil endures and no one is ever safe--scarred heroes fight forces even darker than their own personal demons.Why do they fight?Some seek to better the world, or themselves. Others are out to right old wrongs. But whatever their goal--reward, redemption, or just respite--the truth will out eventually. For no story is ever truly lost so long as there exists one to tell it. less

How did Asho end up as Lord Kyferin's squire?Escape from Bythos leads seamlessly into the novel The Path of Flames (sample chapters included at back of this novella), detailing how Asho acquired his freedom against all odds and escaped the slave city of Bythos. All Ennoian knights must sacrifice a single year of their lives to garrison the subterranean city of Bythos. Known as their Black Year, it is a time both loathed and dreaded... moreHow did Asho end up as Lord Kyferin's squire?Escape from Bythos leads seamlessly into the novel The Path of Flames (sample chapters included at back of this novella), detailing how Asho acquired his freedom against all odds and escaped the slave city of Bythos. All Ennoian knights must sacrifice a single year of their lives to garrison the subterranean city of Bythos. Known as their Black Year, it is a time both loathed and dreaded. Lord Kyferin, the infamous leader of the Black Wolves, is down in the depths with six of his knights. Biding his time. Whoring. Dreaming of bloody invasions he'll launch when he is free to return to Ennoia.Then a Bythian slave brings word of dangerous prey. A legendary monster. A cavekiller. Kyferin chooses to mount a hunt, taking a fraction of the men needed so as to increase his glory. This cavekiller, however, is different. More lethal. Ferocious. And the Bythian slave that Kyferin brings as a guide is none other than Asho's father... less

A war fueled by the dark powers of forbidden sorcery is about to engulf the Ascendant Empire. Agerastian heretics, armed with black fire and fueled by bitter hatred, seek to sever the ancient portals that unite the empire - and in so doing destroy it.Asho--a squire with a reviled past--sees his liege, the Lady Kyferin, and her meager forces banished to an infamous ruin. Beset by tragedy and betrayal, demons and an approaching army, the fate of the Kyferins hangs by the slenderest of threads... moreA war fueled by the dark powers of forbidden sorcery is about to engulf the Ascendant Empire. Agerastian heretics, armed with black fire and fueled by bitter hatred, seek to sever the ancient portals that unite the empire - and in so doing destroy it.Asho--a squire with a reviled past--sees his liege, the Lady Kyferin, and her meager forces banished to an infamous ruin. Beset by tragedy and betrayal, demons and an approaching army, the fate of the Kyferins hangs by the slenderest of threads. Asho realizes that their sole hope of survival may lie hidden within the depths of his scarred soul--a secret that could reverse their fortunes and reveal the truth behind the war that wracks their empire.Unpredictable, fast paced, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Path of Flames is the first installment in a gripping new epic fantasy series. less

When invasion looms...After a harrowing battle Lady Kyferin and her stalwart followers have earned themselves a brief respite from Lord Laur's fury. They know, however, that the next assault will be impossible to resist. Their sole hope of survival lies in forging an alliance with the only force capable of resisting the empire's might: the Agerastian heretics themselves.But time is running out.. moreWhen invasion looms...After a harrowing battle Lady Kyferin and her stalwart followers have earned themselves a brief respite from Lord Laur's fury. They know, however, that the next assault will be impossible to resist. Their sole hope of survival lies in forging an alliance with the only force capable of resisting the empire's might: the Agerastian heretics themselves.But time is running out...Yet over these political machinations looms the Black Shriving, the ancient curse that has struck down all who seek to defend Mythgraefen Hold. Asho and Kethe must embrace their newfound powers and undergo a dark journey into the heart of hellscape of the upper peaks in search of answers and a hope of salvation.Their lives hang by the slimmest of threads...If Magister Audsley can but divine the lost secrets of the Sin Casters, if Asho and Kethe can wrest the truth behind the existence of the second Black Gate, and if Lady Kyferin and Ser Tiron can forge a tenuous alliance with their most hated of enemies, they may just have a chance of surviving the oncoming darkness... less

Lady Iskra and her followers have survived the onslaught of demons, forged powerful alliances, and are finally ready to wreck righteous vengeance on the Ascendant Empire. Yet even as they begin their endgame, a new danger arises that threatens to annihilate everything in its path, heretic or no: Tharok, the greatest peril to humanity since Ogri the Destroyer... moreLady Iskra and her followers have survived the onslaught of demons, forged powerful alliances, and are finally ready to wreck righteous vengeance on the Ascendant Empire. Yet even as they begin their endgame, a new danger arises that threatens to annihilate everything in its path, heretic or no: Tharok, the greatest peril to humanity since Ogri the Destroyer. THE SIEGE OF ABYTHOS continues the action-packed new epic fantasy series that began with THE PATH OF FLAMES - an adrenaline-fueled debut of sin casting mages, heresy, and cold-blooded betrayal in a land where the deepest buried secrets are finally resurfacing to destroy the world. less

The war for the soul of the Ascendant Empire is coming to a head. Factions with fell intent move to undermine or destroy that which has stood for centuries, while armies muster promising slaughter.In this time of desperation, old enemies find common ground. Ancient truths emerge to shatter long held beliefs. Monsters from myth and legend emerge onto the world stage, while blood drowns the ceremonies of the faithful.

The White Song is the final installment in a gripping new epic fantasy series.The hour of reckoning is at hand. The skies darken with the forces of the enemy while the hopes of the armies of the light dwindle to but a candle flame. Morals, compunctions, oaths - all must be set aside, every sacrifice made, every advantage and ally sought if there is to be any chance for survival.

With a forbidden power, Asho is going to save the very empire that enslaved him.A war fueled by a demonic heresy is about to engulf the Ascendant Empire. Agerastian raiders, armed with black fire and an ancient hatred, seek to sever the ancient portals that unite the realm.And in so doing, destroy it.Asho—a squire still scarred by the shackles of his past—sees his new liege and her meager forces banished to an infamous ruin... moreWith a forbidden power, Asho is going to save the very empire that enslaved him.A war fueled by a demonic heresy is about to engulf the Ascendant Empire. Agerastian raiders, armed with black fire and an ancient hatred, seek to sever the ancient portals that unite the realm.And in so doing, destroy it.Asho—a squire still scarred by the shackles of his past—sees his new liege and her meager forces banished to an infamous ruin. Beset by tragedy, betrayal, demons, and an approaching army, the fate of the exiles hangs by the slenderest of threads.Unbeknownst to them, their salvation lies not in their steel and resolve, but in the scarred soul of a former slave--a brutal secret that could reverse their fortunes and reveal the truth behind the war that wracks the Empire. less