In this epic fantasy from the acclaimed author of The Grey Bastards, a man and his fae allies confront Goblins seeking to restore their race to power. Locked in an eternal Autumn, Airlann, the Source Isle of Magic, is dying. Nearly a millennium earlier, the last of the Goblin Kings were assassinated. Now a fanatical army of Goblins known as the Red Caps are determined to bring their bloodline back to the throne via an heir whose identity is a deeply guarded secret. Padric, a human cast aside as cursed by his own people, travels alongside the alluring piskie Rosheen, his lifelong friend. As the Red Caps wage war, Padric and Rosheen find themselves in midst of the battle, having allied themselves with the unlikeliest of creatures: Deglan Loamtoes, a healer gnome whose cynicism is rivaled only by his quick wit, and Pocket, an orphaned changeling fostered by the avian Knights of the Valiant Spur. Soon this ragtag posse of wayfarers is confronting skin-changers, bloodthirsty marauders, and fire-crazed fanatics—determined to discover the true identity of the long-lost heir before the Red Caps release forces powerful enough to destroy Airlann once and for all. But is this band of unlikely heroes strong enough to stand against the descendant of the dreadful Goblin Kings? “An addictively readable—and undeniably cool—fantasy masterwork.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Grey Bastards

“[A] fantasy masterwork . . . a dirty, blood-soaked gem of a novel [that reads] like Mad Max set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Jackal and his fellow half-orcs patrol the barren wastes of the Lot Lands, spilling their own damned blood to keep civilized folk safe. A rabble of hard-talking, hog-riding, whore-mongering brawlers they may be, but the Grey Bastards are Jackal’s sworn brothers, fighting at his side in a land where there’s no room for softness. And once Jackal’s in charge—as soon as he can unseat the Bastards’ tyrannical, seemingly unkillable founder—there’s a few things they’ll do different. Better. Or at least, that’s the plan. Until the fallout from a deadly showdown makes Jackal start investigating the Lot Lands for himself. Soon, he’s wondering if his feelings have blinded him to ugly truths about this world, and the Bastards’ place in it. In a quest for answers that takes him from decaying dungeons to the frontlines of an ancient feud, Jackal finds himself battling invading orcs, rampaging centaurs, and grubby human conspiracies alike—along with a host of dark magics so terrifying they’d give even the heartiest Bastard pause. Finally, Jackal must ride to confront a threat that’s lain in wait for generations, even as he wonders whether the Bastards can—or should--survive. Delivered with a generous wink to Sons of Anarchy, featuring sneaky-smart worldbuilding and gobs of fearsomely foul-mouthed charm, The Grey Bastards is a grimy, pulpy, masterpiece—and a raunchy, swaggering, cunningly clever adventure that’s like nothing you’ve read before. Praise for The Grey Bastards “Saddle up the war boar and set off on a wild, gory thrill-ride that ends in an awesome climax and begs for a sequel.”—Daily Mail (UK) “Non-stop action, though not for faint hearts . . . the Grey Bastards live up to their name in all respects.”—The Wall Street Journal

Chey's return to Latvala is fraught with deception. She enters the country illegally upon Prince Sander's request, and, realizing they cannot hide their relationship much longer, prepare to announce their status to the King and Queen. Neither could have imagined the lengths the ruling Monarchs would go to keep the two apart. Chey must go on the run to save her own life while Sander is forced into exile. Their journey takes a harrowing turn when a dark secret emerges, one the King and Queen will do anything to protect. Will Chey and Sander find their way back together again? Or will King Aksel's menace drive them apart for good? Find out in book #3 of the Latvala Royals series.

A young man forced into a fight for survival . . . A concubine sorceress seduced into the ultimate test of will . . . An enigmatic spy in love with a forbidden queen . . . And a reawakened evil that could remake the world. Introducing a major new talent, this riveting fantasy debut brings alive a richly imagined tale of brutal combat, sexual intrigue, and sinister magic in a world where one must always struggle to survive. A bastion of freedom and justice in a brutal world, the city-state of Ohndarien is ruled by the Children of the Seasons, four brave men and women tested before the awesome Heartstone and sworn to place the needs of others before their own. When Brophy, the Heir of Autumn, is falsely accused of murder, the city-state falls to treachery and deceit. Exiled to an enemy kingdom, Brophy's only chance for survival lies in the deadly gladiatorial game of Nine Squares and the uncertain favors of its beautiful queen. Meanwhile, enslaved by the brutal perfidy of her master, the young courtesan Shara must face her deepest fears and darkest desires if she is to free herself from the web of foul sorcery that ensnares her magic and her very soul. But as Ohndarien fights for justice, evil powers, lost for centuries, wake in the wilderness, and an ancient terror walks the world again. Lyrical, powerful, and compelling, Heir of Autumn heralds the arrival of a brillant new voice in fantasy.

Sample Text

Read the complete Heir Chronicles in this omnibus edition! Three boys, three talismans, one destiny. In this page-turning collection featuring The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, The Dragon Heir, The Enchanter Heir, and The Sorcerer Heir, Cinda Williams Chima explores what it means to be different, what's worth fighting for, and what's worth dying for.... Dark forces are after a boy who is heir to a dangerous legacy. A girl grapples with evil within. A seventeen-year-old is a deadly assassin, and a wild child uncovers a mystery. The Wizards and Warriors, Seers, Enchanters, and Sorcerers must keep their fragile peace despite all that would break it. The answers they need lie buried in the tragedies of the past -- the question is whether they can survive long enough to unearth them.

Half orc. All badass. A female chieftain in a brutal wasteland society fights to take what is hers in an action-packed, foul-mouthed fantasy adventure from the author of The Grey Bastards (“Nonstop action, though not for faint hearts.”—The Wall Street Journal). Fetching was once the only female rider in the Lot Lands. Now she is the proud leader of her own hoof, a band of loyal half-orcs sworn to her command. But in the year since she became chief, the Lots have tested her strength to the breaking point. The Bastards are scattered, desperate, their ranks weakened by a mysterious famine, their fortress reduced to smoldering slag. And their troubles are only growing. A pack of ravening beasts circles their camp, while grasping human nobles hatch a plan that will shift the balance of power in the Lots. Fetch and her comrades are still standing defiant—they’re Bastards, after all—but even the toughest half-orc can take only so much; and Fetch knows they’re on the verge of ruin. As she strives to lead her hoof to safety and unravel the plots set against them, Fetching must journey through forbidden elven lands, overcome long-standing hatreds, battle a monstrous wizard of terrifying power—and, worst of all, delve into the dark truths of her own existence. She’s no stranger to fighting the world, but on this journey, sharp steel and a strong hog won’t be enough. To survive these trials, she’ll have to defy not just her foes but the very nature of the Lots. The True Bastards is the sweeping, ambitious second entry in the Lot Lands series, an irresistibly thrilling, gritty, foul-mouthed adventure that deepens, expands—and again upends—the Bastards’ unforgettable world. Advance praise for The True Bastards “[An] action-packed sequel . . . the story is filled with relentless action and powered by a cast of adeptly developed and emotionally appealing characters. . . . Fans will be overjoyed not only with the return of some beloved characters, but also with the novel's conclusion, which sets up the storyline for a much larger adventure to come. Imagine an outlaw biker gang of half-orcs riding giant war pigs and you've captured this saga's gloriously dirty soul.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)