Master and Commander meets A Game of Thrones and Pirates of the Carribean. Rapid-paced high fantasy with all-out combat on the high seas, and a canny young woman who faces the hidden threats of an imperial court. Yet the key to defeating a sorcerous enemy may lie with a wild rogue and the slave of a maniac.
For centuries the Drehhu have ruled every continent, brutally enslaving the human inhabitants. Now after endless wars the human empires of Ophion, Velesa, and Modjal have pushed the inhuman enemy back to their heartland and unite in a final, massive assault.
Alastor Nevelon and his son Crespin set sail against the Drehhu, and they have their own secret weapons. Yet Alastor is forced to send his daughter Chrysanthe to the capitol city Ophion Magne as a “token” of his loyalty to the emperor. He instructs Chrysanthe to use her considerable intellect to discover what plots may be afoot, even as she enters a place where courtly manners hide murderous intent.
As nations collide the true key to defeating the Drehhu may lie in a remote mountain stronghold, with a wild rogue known as Hound and Ammolite, the young slave of a sorcerer more ancient than any nation—whose loyalties remain threateningly unknown.
"Hornblower-esque naval engagements, sexy intrigue among the Ophion elites, and shape-shifting wizardly entanglements ensue, with plenty of colorful locales, abundant magic, and solidly convincing character development along the way. This entertaining yarn is sure to leave high fantasy fans hungry for more."- Publishers Weekly
Praise foir The Briar King: “Keyes mixes cultures, religions, institutions and languages with rare skill… the rewards [are} enormously worthwhile.”—Publishers Weekly on the Briar King (starred review)
“Here is a high fantasy novel that has the grit of secular combat and the heart of one of the great romances.”—Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazineon The Briar King
“Recommended… Keyes’s talent for world crafting and storytelling make this series opener a strong addition to fantasy collections.”—Library Journal on The Briar King
“Keyes takes all the genre’s conventions and, while never overstepping their boundaries, breathes new life into them.”—Kirkus Reviews on The Briar King
“Keyes is a master of world building and of quirky characters who grow into their relationships in unexpected ways.”—Bookliston The Reign of the Departed
“Greg Keyes has always been both a skilled storyteller and fine writer of exciting tales.”—Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of Shannara
“Starts in the realm of normalcy and quickly descends into the favorably bizarre and surprising… there was not one character that was uninteresting. The world building is epic.”—Koeur’s Book Reviews on The Reign of the Departed
“Strong world building and superior storytelling.”—Library Journalon The Charnal Prince
“[A] sophisticated and intelligent high fantasy epic.”—Publishers Weeklyon The Blood Knight
“A graceful, artful tale from a master storyteller.”—Elizabeth Haydon, bestselling author of Prophesy: Child of Earth, on The Briar King
“The characters in The Briar King absolutely brim with life… Keyes hooked me from the first page.”—Charles de Lint, award-winning author of Forests of the Heart and The Onion Girl
Master and Commander meets A Game of Thrones and Pirates of the Carribean. Rapid-paced high fantasy with all-out combat on the high seas, and a canny young woman who faces the hidden threats of an imperial court. Yet the key to defeating a sorcerous enemy may lie with a wild rogue and the slave of a maniac.
For centuries the Drehhu have ruled every continent, brutally enslaving the human inhabitants. Now after endless wars the human empires of Ophion, Velesa, and Modjal have pushed the inhuman enemy back to their heartland and unite in a final, massive assault.
Alastor Nevelon and his son Crespin set sail against the Drehhu, and they have their own secret weapons. Yet Alastor is forced to send his daughter Chrysanthe to the capitol city Ophion Magne as a “token” of his loyalty to the emperor. He instructs Chrysanthe to use her considerable intellect to discover what plots may be afoot, even as she enters a place where courtly manners hide murderous intent.
As nations collide the true key to defeating the Drehhu may lie in a remote mountain stronghold, with a wild rogue known as Hound and Ammolite, the young slave of a sorcerer more ancient than any nation—whose loyalties remain threateningly unknown.
Praise
"Hornblower-esque naval engagements, sexy intrigue among the Ophion elites, and shape-shifting wizardly entanglements ensue, with plenty of colorful locales, abundant magic, and solidly convincing character development along the way. This entertaining yarn is sure to leave high fantasy fans hungry for more."- Publishers Weekly
Praise foir The Briar King: “Keyes mixes cultures, religions, institutions and languages with rare skill… the rewards [are} enormously worthwhile.”—Publishers Weekly on the Briar King (starred review)
“Here is a high fantasy novel that has the grit of secular combat and the heart of one of the great romances.”—Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazineon The Briar King
“Recommended… Keyes’s talent for world crafting and storytelling make this series opener a strong addition to fantasy collections.”—Library Journal on The Briar King
“Keyes takes all the genre’s conventions and, while never overstepping their boundaries, breathes new life into them.”—Kirkus Reviews on The Briar King
“Keyes is a master of world building and of quirky characters who grow into their relationships in unexpected ways.”—Bookliston The Reign of the Departed
“Greg Keyes has always been both a skilled storyteller and fine writer of exciting tales.”—Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of Shannara
“Starts in the realm of normalcy and quickly descends into the favorably bizarre and surprising… there was not one character that was uninteresting. The world building is epic.”—Koeur’s Book Reviews on The Reign of the Departed
“Strong world building and superior storytelling.”—Library Journalon The Charnal Prince
“[A] sophisticated and intelligent high fantasy epic.”—Publishers Weeklyon The Blood Knight
“A graceful, artful tale from a master storyteller.”—Elizabeth Haydon, bestselling author of Prophesy: Child of Earth, on The Briar King
“The characters in The Briar King absolutely brim with life… Keyes hooked me from the first page.”—Charles de Lint, award-winning author of Forests of the Heart and The Onion Girl
