Publishing giants Orbit have been in touch to tell us about a book they think we should be excited about. It’s called Snakewood, it’s by Adrian Selby and it’s a grimdark/gritty fantasy novel that meets many of today’s favoured trends. Having read and enjoyed the sample (it’ll follow the cover and blurb, my friends, don’t you worry about that!) I can tell you that I’m excited to read more and it could end up being one of 2016’s most talked about releases. Here’s how I’d describe it: a son is given one last task from his father and the words that we hold were originally due to be the result of “his last wish that a record be kept of what became of the greatest mercenary crew ever to take a purse”, however, the son’s patron steps in and what we actually hold is the tale of “their downfall … the more compelling and tragic story”. Here’s the cover:

So, let us consult the Grimdark Cover Checklist and see how it does, shall we?

Hooded man? Check.

Shadowy, expressionless face? Check.

Big ass Sword? Check.

It’s all there! There are certainly hints of Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy there, I imagine the designer was very much inspired by Prince of Thorns, but how could you not be when creating covers in this genre? It is one of the best and this is a very good evolution of that cover… It’ll do the job of encouraging Mark Lawrence fans to pick up the book, that’s for sure! 🙂

Here’s the official blurb:

‘A lifetime of enemies has its own price.’ This debut epic fantasy from a British writer of incredible talent tells the tale of the Twenty, a band of mercenaries hunted by an unknown killer. Filled with unique voices and incredible worldbuilding, this stunning novel will please any fan of Joe Abercrombie or Mark Lawrence. Once they were a band of mercenaries who shook the pillars of the world through their cunning, their closely guarded alchemical brews and stone cold steel. Whoever met their price won. Now, their glory days behind them and their genius leader in hiding, the warriors known as the ‘Twenty’ are being hunted down and eliminated one by one. A lifetime of enemies has its own price. Not only does this debut feature non-stop action and adventure which will draw the reader in immediatley, but an irresistible hook. Through letters, diaries and a startling array of characters and voices, readers will be drawn into the mystery and desperate to know who is killing these men, and why . . .

Unlike Joe Abercrombie’s debut, Adrian Selby has provided readers with a map, check it out:

And, finally, here’s the blurb we promised you. Do let us know what you think through the Comments Section/Facebook/Twitter:

Should the above not load, visit Orbit’s site to check it out, here.

And, finally, can we just marvel for one moment over about the epic-ness that is Orbit’s cover art this/next year? Truly making for some pretty bookshelves, right!?

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*Fantasy-Faction cannot be held responsible for the inevitable emptying of your bank account 😉