Promise of Blood

'The Age of Kings is dead. And I have killed it.'

Field Marshal Tamas's coup against his king sends corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brings bread to the starving. But it also provokes war in the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics and greedy scrambling for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers' unions and mercenary forces.

Stretched to his limit, Tamas relies heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be Tamas's estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty will be tested to its limit.

Now, amid the chaos, a whispered rumour is spreading. A rumour about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods returning to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. . .

But perhaps they should.

“This book is just plain awesome. I found myself enjoying every moment of it. Innovative magic, quick-paced plot, interesting world. I had a blast”

Promise of Blood is the best debut I've read in ages. Brian McClellan has a bold new take on fantasy Peter V. Brett
Guns, swords and magic together? What more could you want? How about tense action, memorable characters, rising stakes . . . Brian McClellan is the real thing Brent Weeks
Brandon Sanderson
Excellent . . . a ripping yarn Buzzfeed
An historically-influenced fantastical romp filled with machismo, intrigue and magic SCIFI NOW
A French Revolution with wizards; McClelland's debut packs some serious heat KIRKUS REVIEWS - starred review
Promise of Blood is filled with engaging characters, original worldbuilding, and a plot that left me unable to put the book down . . . An engaging and wonderfully-written work FANTASY FACTION
An amazing debut BOOKTHING
Promise of Blood is a lot of fun, and the start of something potentially fantastic CIVILIAN READER
Stunning, well crafted, compelling and engaging THE FOUNDING FIELDS
Everyone should pick up Promise of Blood . . . Yes, it really is that good ELITIST BOOK REVIEWS
An extremely engaging novel . . . The addictive narrative pace, inventive world-building, and gestalt of this novel are impressive SFFWORLD
A winning debut FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
Promise of Blood is, hands down, my favorite read of the year . . . An instant classic SPECULATIVE BOOK REVIEW
An excellent debut that promises to captivate readers STAFFER'S BOOK REVIEW

Brian McClellan is an avid reader of fantasy and graduate of Orson Scott Card's Literary Bookcamp. When he is not writing, he loves baking, making jam from fruit grown in northeast Ohio and playing video games. He currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife.

IT'S A BLOODY BUSINESS, OVERTHROWING A KING Field Marshal Tamas's coup against his king brings bread to the starving, but it also provokes war in the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics and a greedy scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies. Stretched to his limit, Tamas relies on his few remaining powder mages to keep the peace. But amid the chaos, a whispered rumour is spreading. A rumour of a broken promise, omens of death and the gods returning to walk the earth. Surely nobody really believes those old legends. Perhaps they should. 'Tense action, memorable characters, rising stakes . . . Brian McClellan is the real thing' BRENT WEEKS

'The Age of Kings is dead. And I have killed it.'Field Marshal Tamas's coup against his king sends corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brings bread to the starving. But it also provokes war in the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics and greedy scrambling for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers' unions and mercenary forces.Stretched to his limit, Tamas relies heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be Tamas's estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty will be tested to its limit.Now, amid the chaos, a whispered rumour is spreading. A rumour about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods returning to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. . .But perhaps they should.

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