The Mortal Tally

Akin to the works of both Fritz Leiber and Scott Lynch but bringing it's own energy and humorous vigour the writing of Sam Sykes sets itself apart from the dour feel of Grimdark fantasy and brings a fresh vigour to fantasy fiction.

Cier'Djaal, once the crowning glory of the civilised world, has gone from a city to a battlefield, and from a battlefield to a graveyard. Foreign armies clash on streets laden with bodies. Cultists and thieves wage shadow wars, tribal armies gather outside the city's walls, and haughty aristocrats watch the world burn from on high.

As his companions struggle to keep the city from destroying itself, Lenk must travel to the Forbidden East in search of the demon who caused it all. But dark whispers plague his thoughts. The demon promises him a world free of war where Lenk can put down his sword at last. And Lenk finds it hard not to listen . . .

“Sam Sykes continues to reinvent the fantasy adventuring party in a vibrant world of rude magic and good intentions gone bad. Bold and exuberant, never cynical, Sykes fights the good fight on behalf of rich fantasy that nonetheless refuses to apologize for being kick-ass fun.A high-quality production . . . packed full of very likeable characters doing all manner of unspeakable things [TOME OF THE UNDERGATES review] - Fantasy Book ReviewFrom the very first page, I found myself frantically swimming in a very exotic environment, accompanied by some of the most reckless protagonists I've ever shared a point-of-view with. I swiftly learned that most of my assumptions about who they were and what they were up to were wrong. [CITY STAINED RED review]”

Sam Sykes continues to reinvent the fantasy adventuring party in a vibrant world of rude magic and good intentions gone bad. Bold and exuberant, never cynical, Sykes fights the good fight on behalf of rich fantasy that nonetheless refuses to apologize for being kick-ass fun.

A high-quality production . . . packed full of very likeable characters doing all manner of unspeakable things [TOME OF THE UNDERGATES review] - Fantasy Book Review

From the very first page, I found myself frantically swimming in a very exotic environment, accompanied by some of the most reckless protagonists I've ever shared a point-of-view with. I swiftly learned that most of my assumptions about who they were and what they were up to were wrong. [CITY STAINED RED review]

Samuel Sykes began writing his debut novel, Tome of the Undergates (the first book in his Aeon's Gate trilogy) when he was seventeen. Since then, he has also written Black Halo, The Skybound Sea and the Bring Down Heaven trilogy that begins with The City Stained Red.

He currently lives in the US, where he is working on his next novel.

Akin to the works of both Fritz Leiber and Scott Lynch but bringing it's own energy and humorous vigour the writing of Sam Sykes sets itself apart from the dour feel of Grimdark fantasy and brings a fresh vigour to fantasy fiction.Cier'Djaal, once the crowning glory of the civilised world, has gone from a city to a battlefield, and from a battlefield to a graveyard. Foreign armies clash on streets laden with bodies. Cultists and thieves wage shadow wars, tribal armies gather outside the city's walls, and haughty aristocrats watch the world burn from on high.As his companions struggle to keep the city from destroying itself, Lenk must travel to the Forbidden East in search of the demon who caused it all. But dark whispers plague his thoughts. The demon promises him a world free of war where Lenk can put down his sword at last. And Lenk finds it hard not to listen . . .

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.