The Fallen Herald

Thorn and Alazla are promising students and have little more on their minds than enjoying life, that is, until Thorn witnesses the murder of an Avatar, herald to one of the nine gods. Unknown to Thorn, the seed of the fallen herald takes root in him. Hidden forces seeking to overthrow the pantheon of gods capture Thorn as Alazla can only watch, utterly helpless. Thorn is carried to the secret realm of the immortals, the capricious children of the gods, where they seek to twist Thorn and use him to free them from their imprisonment. Distraught and enraged at losing his life-long friend, Alazla sets out to avenge Thorn and confront the immense forces that hold him, with just the strength of his own frail mortality. The Fallen Herald is a truly epic fantasy, conceived in a vivid and brilliantly portrayed world. It combines its own mythos and dark design, to deliver characters that we believe in so completely that we dare to share their hope and loss. It is thrilling and shocking, told with a real storytellers flare - a tremendous achievement. 'The Fallen Herald is as good as anything I've ever done the cover art for. Simon has a rare talent' Roger Garland - Tolkien and Gemmel artist.

Simon read his first fantasy novel when he was `just knee high', courtesy of his beloved father, Michael. Since those youthful years he's devoured endless quantities of Feist, Eddings, Tolkien and more recently Erikson, to name but a few. His bookcase burgeons.

To pay the bills Simon works in marketing, and holds the Chartered Institute of Marketing's highest professional qualification. Though enjoyable, he admits that marketing is certainly a dull place, when compared to the world of Rune, where 'The Fallen Herald' is set.

When not spending time with his family or writing, he's either jogging or playing roleplaying games with the `Wednesday night crowd.'

He lives in Watford, England with his wife Kim and daughter Chloe. He thanks them both for the time allowed to him in `darkest' Cornwall (cider not withstanding!), where most of 'The Fallen Herald' was written.

'The Fallen Herald' is his first novel. The second novel in 'The Heaven's War' series is already well under way.