“GRIMDARK PERFECTION.’
Mike’s Book Reviews
THE LAST WAR
An epic fantasy series full of crunching revolutionary action, twisted magic, and hard choices in dark times.
The war is over. The enemy won.
Jia's people learned the hard way that there are no second chances. The Egril, their ancient enemy, struck with magic so devastating that Jia's armies were wiped out. Now terror reigns in the streets, and friend turns on friend just to live another day.
WE ARE THE DEAD
Dive into an epic fantasy full of crunching revolutionary action, twisted magic, and hard choices in dark times.
The war is over. The enemy won.
Jia's people learned the hard way that there are no second chances. The Egril, their ancient enemy, struck with magic so devastating that Jia's armies were wiped out. Now terror reigns in the streets, and friend turns on friend just to live another day.
Somehow Tinnstra - a deserter, a failure, nothing but a coward - survived. She wants no more than to hide from the chaos.
But dragged into a desperate plot to retake Jia, surrounded by people willing to do anything to win the fight, this time Tinnstra will need to do more than hide.
If Jia is to get a second chance after all, this time she will need to be a hero.
“An easy 5 stars from me . . . The tension ratchets up nicely as the best laid plans fall apart and people struggle to survive. The world building and characters fit together flawlessly” ― Cameron Johnston, author of The Traitor God
“You can't write a debut novel much better than this” ― Under the Radar SFF Books
“We Are the Dead is a staggering, marvellous and gripping fantasy debut” ― Grimdark Magazine
“A fantastic story with unique characters that draw you in and don't let you go” ― Justin Call, author of Master of Sorrows
A FOOL’S HOPE
The sequel to the darkly fantastic WE ARE THE DEAD: with more unflinching action, A FOOL'S HOPE sees Jia's revolutionaries dig in their heels as they learn that wars aren't won in a day.
War takes everything.
From Tinnstra, it took her family and thrust her into a conflict she wanted only to avoid. Now her queen's sole protector, she must give all she has left to keep Zorique safe.
It has taken just as much from Jia's revolutionaries. Dren and Jax - battered, tortured, once enemies themselves - must hold strong against their bruised invaders, the Egril.
For the Egril intend to wipe Jia from the map. They may have lost a battle, but they are coming back.
If Tinnstra and her allies hope to survive, Jia's heroes will need to be ready when they do.
“A Fool's Hope is one of the best fantasy novels of the year. Shackle has outdone himself by crafting such a heart-hammering sequel, and I'll go as far as saying that it's one of the best middle-book instalments I've ever read." — Novel Notions
"Epic and horrific, wonderful and depressing, exhilarating and distressing and truly a must-read for all fans of the genre . . . A Fool's Hope is probably my favourite book of the year." — The Chronicler
"Shackle is not one to shy away from curveballs, blood and betrayals . . . a triumph of a second book." — Under the Radar SFF Books
"Dark, brutal, wonderful." — Nick Martell, author of Kingdom of Liars
UNTIL THE LAST
THE TIME HAS COME.SEKINOWARI - THE LAST WAR - HAS ARRIVED.
The breakneck conclusion to the trilogy that started with We Are the Dead. To beat the ultimate evil, sometimes the price is more than you can pay . . .
The war with the Egril has changed Tinnstra forever. A coward no more, she'll go to any length to defeat every last one of her enemies.
Zorique has grown into her powers. It's time for her to lead her army into Jia and spearhead the fight for her homeland.
But at what cost? The Egril emperor Raaku - the Son of Kage himself - is waiting for them. And he intends to destroy Zorique, Tinnstra and all their allies.
They will need to put everything on the line if Jia hopes to see the dawn.
“Superb ending to a superb trilogy. This is how you write big epic fantasy in a satisfying, crunching way. So impactful, so evocative and memorable. Shackle is no doubt one of the best fantasy writers today." — Brothers Gwynne
"An action-packed and thrilling concluding volume from the beginning to the end." — Novel Notions
"One of my favourite fantasy series ever." — Out of This World Reviews
"This is fantasy at its best." — Fantasy Book Nerd
A LOST CAUSE
SOME DEBTS CAN’T BE FORGOTTEN. SOME CRIMES CAN’T BE FORGIVEN.
The Last War is over.
Yas, somehow, is one of the survivors. Now, all she wants to do is live in peace with her son and forget what she had to do to make it through the war alive. It's the least she deserves after all she's endured.
But this is Jia, and the Four Gods are cruel.
The Egril may be gone but Yas' enemies still live. And they will have vengeance in this life or the next.
A Lost Cause is a brutal new short story set in the world of The Last War.
PRAISE FOR A LOST CAUSE:
'A novella where every word counts and some how manages to kick you in the guts on several occasions!’
‘A powerful sucker punch of a novella to finalise the story of Yas, and her son Ro, from We are the dead series.’
‘An unforgettable, emotional read that delivered everything I hoped for and more.’