Scourge of the Betrayer: Bloodsounder's Arc Book One - Softcover

Salyards, Jeff

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1597804517 ISBN 13: 9781597804516

Publisher: Night Shade, 2013

Synopsis

Many tales are told of the Syldoon Empire and its fearsome soldiers, who are known throughout the world for their treachery and atrocities. Some say that the Syldoon eat virgins and babies -- or perhaps their own mothers. Arkamondos, a bookish young scribe, suspects that the Syldoon's dire reputation may have grown in the retelling, but he's about to find out for himself. Hired to chronicle the exploits of a band of rugged Syldoon warriors, Arki finds himself both frightened and fascinated by the men's enigmatic leader, Captain Braylar Killcoin. A secretive, mercurial figure haunted by the memories of those he's killed with his deadly flail, Braylar has already disposed of at least one impertinent scribe... and Arki might be next. Archiving the mundane doings of millers and merchants was tedious, but at least it was safe. As Arki heads off on a mysterious mission into parts unknown, in the company of the coarse, bloody-minded Syldoon,he is promised a chance to finally record an historic adventure well worth the telling, but first he must survive the experience! A gripping military fantasy in the tradition of Glen Cook, Scourge of the Betrayer explores the brutal politics of Empire-and the searing impact of violence and dark magic on a man's soul.

About this title

About the Author

Jeff Salyards grew up in a small town north of Chicago. While it wasn't Mayberry, it was quiet and sleepy, so he got started early imagining his way into other worlds that were loud, chaotic, and full of irrepressible characters. While he ultimately moved away, he never lost his fascination for the fantastic, though his tastes have grown a bit darker and more mature over the years. Salyards lives near Chicago with his wife and three daughters. By day, he is a book editor for the American Bar Association; by night, he will continue to crank out novels as long as there are readers willing to read them.

Review

"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 Betrayer is 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 of The Acacia Trilogy.

"Gritty, gripping, and layered with surprises." -- Howard A. Jones, author of The Waters of Eternity

"I've long been a great fan of novels that play and experiment with the standards of fantasy, and Scourge of the Betrayer comes 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 of The Conqueror's Shadow and The Goblin Corps

Salyards'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

About this edition

• Publisher: Night Shade
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1597804517
• ISBN 13: 9781597804516
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320