Pandemonium Rising Series by Michael Sliter

During times of war, no one goes unscathed. By Ultner, even in times of peace, few can escape suffering. Ardia is on the brink of civil war, though most citizens are woefully unaware of this fact. Fenrir de Trenton, a disgraced guardsman-turned-ineffective-criminal, is accustomed to taking orders. So much so that, despite the danger, he finds himself neck-deep in the politicking of his current superiors as well as the rulers of the country... moreDuring times of war, no one goes unscathed. By Ultner, even in times of peace, few can escape suffering. Ardia is on the brink of civil war, though most citizens are woefully unaware of this fact. Fenrir de Trenton, a disgraced guardsman-turned-ineffective-criminal, is accustomed to taking orders. So much so that, despite the danger, he finds himself neck-deep in the politicking of his current superiors as well as the rulers of the country. The fact that Fenrir’s father would rather see him dead doesn’t help matters. Emma Dram, a handmaiden of the great Lady Escamilla, hates Fenrir with a fiery passion and with good reason: he lopped off most of her hand. Nonetheless, she finds herself in close proximity to her former lover as she seeks to serve her lady liege in fomenting her own rebellion. Hafgan Iwan is a Wasmer, a race reviled by humans, who serves the same masters as Fenrir. His efforts to assimilate with human culture only earn him the derision of his own race, and he seeks to find belonging amidst the escalating conflict. Meanwhile, Merigold Hinter, a serving girl with an unusual power, lives a simple existence, hoping for love, adventure, and to see the world. Her life should be untouched by political maneuvering and war. However, her world becomes a crucible—how much can one woman bear before breaking? A story of love lost and family destroyed, of bigotry and belonging, of suffering and strength, and of religion and magic, SOLACE LOST grows from a character-driven tale to something grand in scale, perhaps even involving the gods, themselves. less

Ardia is fractured, torn apart by civil war initiated by deceit. Florens has fallen, and the rebel army of Lady Escamilla has been scattered by the Feral. Little stands in the way of the Rostanians and their ruthless rulers seizing the entire country. Amidst this rising conflict, four people seek to stem this tide. Or, to simply survive. Fenrir, also called the Bull, Coldbreaker, Dukeslayer, and sometimes bastard, has the worst kind of luck... moreArdia is fractured, torn apart by civil war initiated by deceit. Florens has fallen, and the rebel army of Lady Escamilla has been scattered by the Feral. Little stands in the way of the Rostanians and their ruthless rulers seizing the entire country. Amidst this rising conflict, four people seek to stem this tide. Or, to simply survive. Fenrir, also called the Bull, Coldbreaker, Dukeslayer, and sometimes bastard, has the worst kind of luck. Instead of being dead, pierced by a dozen swords, he finds himself under the control of the most horrible person he knows: his father. And an unwelcome family reunion is made more unpleasant as clandestine and legitimate powers vie for the rule of Rostane. Meanwhile, Hafgan Iwan breaks an oath to himself—that he would never return home. The hallowed Wasmer city of Hackeneth is not welcoming, particularly as a new god has usurped the old ways. Hafgan is torn between the world he once knew and the one he has created for himself. Leading the exhausted and haphazard remnants of a rebel army, Lady Emma Breen seeks allies across the border, in the crumbling city of Farrow’s Hold. But when faith clashes with politics, can a faithless former handmaiden hold them all together? And Merigold Hinter travels across oceans to the fabled Agricorinor with a wish and a warning. The wish? That she may understand her powers and take revenge. The warning? The Feral are coming, and they will tear out the throat of the world. less

Ardia, stricken by civil war and rotting from the inside, was utterly unprepared for the Menogan incursion. Supported by chaotic powers and a mysterious figure called the Flawless God, these forces converge on their objective, and there seem to be few who can offer any meaningful resistance.Certainly not Fenrir Coldbreaker, who is shattered both emotionally and physically. Yet, despite his myriad injuries and desire to escape, he finds himself in a position of power... moreArdia, stricken by civil war and rotting from the inside, was utterly unprepared for the Menogan incursion. Supported by chaotic powers and a mysterious figure called the Flawless God, these forces converge on their objective, and there seem to be few who can offer any meaningful resistance.Certainly not Fenrir Coldbreaker, who is shattered both emotionally and physically. Yet, despite his myriad injuries and desire to escape, he finds himself in a position of power. Acting as an intermediary between two powerful men that he loathes, he begins to develop something strange. Hope for the future, maybe?Meanwhile, Hafgan Iwan returns to Ardia with his half-mad brother, equipped with a blessed weapon and a risky mission assigned by a goddess. The only problem is that his hedwicchen is lost, and his enemies are many. Old and new allies and enemies might be the only path to salvation.Merigold Hinter, dubbed the Savior of Agricorinor, finally reached her destination, a shattered, backbiting place full of unsurpassed egos, treacherous plots, and isolationism. She is only pulled deeper, though, especially given that two countries are calling for her execution.And Lady Emma Breen, cursed with a dark power, finds herself fighting adversaries both internal and external as she marches to war against a foe she’d not planned to face. On the path of vengeance, she will be lucky if she can control her demons long enough to drive a burning scythe into the hearts of her enemies. less