Scourge of the Betrayer: Bloodsounder's Arc Book One
"A tale of terror and bloodshed, set on a fascinating world, told by an interesting narrator. What more could you want?" -- Mike Resnick, Hugo and Nebula award winning author."Scourge of the Betrayeris as harsh and profane as anything Richard K. Morgan or Joe Abercrombie serves up. Fortunately, Saylards has the skills - and the humor - to pull it off. Snappy dialogue, political intrigue, shady characters, gripping action sequences, a poor guy that has no idea what he's gotten himself into... Yeah, there's a lot to like about this debut." --David Anthony Durham, author ofThe Acacia Trilogy."Gritty, gripping, and layered with surprises." -- Howard A. Jones, author ofThe Waters of Eternity"I've long been a great fan of novels that play and experiment with the standards of fantasy, andScourge of the Betrayercomes as no exception. Salyards not only executes the tropes of the genre skillfully, but he knows just when and how to surprise the reader by veering AWAY from any expectations we might be developing. Readers of traditional fantasy and sword-and-sorcery definitely should give this one a look; I'm impatient for a sequel already, myself."  --Ari Marmell, author ofThe Conqueror's ShadowandThe Goblin CorpsSalyards's first novel launches a fantasy adventure series filled with grim characters, fierce battles, and dark magic--as well as. . .  macabre humor. Killcoin embodies many mysteries, including a cursed weapon and a past that remains to be explored, while Arki serves as a brilliant counterfoil, his initial naiveté glowing brightly against the dark background of his chosen world. VERDICT: Reminiscent of Glen Cook's "Chronicles of the Black Company". . .  this fantasy adventure should have broad appeal among fans of military fantasy and sword and sorcery.  --The Library Journal