Library Journal (Starred Review)
“Edwards’s gorgeous debut presents an alternate modern world that is at once unusual and familiar, with a grand interplay of powers formed by family and the supernatural. Intriguing characters, a fast-paced mystery, and an original magical hierarchy will immediately hook readers, who will eagerly await the next volume in this urban fantasy series.” May 15, 2018
Publishers Weekly
K.D. Edwards. Pyr, $17 trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-63388-423-6
Edwards’s debut combines swashbuckling action, political intrigue, and romance into a fast-paced and enjoyable adventure. New Atlantis is a self-contained nation of magic users, ensconced on Nantucket Island after a devastating war and ruled by courts named for the major arcana of the tarot. Rune St. John and his bound companion and bodyguard, Brand, are the last survivors of the fallen Sun Court; they make a living doing odd jobs involving varying degrees of danger, mostly for the formidable Lord Tower. After participating in an attack on the Lovers Court, Rune and Brand end up shielding the sheltered and abused grandson of Lady Lovers and searching for the missing son of Lady Justice. Their quest leads them to a conspiracy that involves undead monsters and murder, and may be connected to the fall of Rune’s court and the brutal assault he endured afterward. Rune is an entertaining narrator, and his bond with Brand provides a strong emotional cornerstone for their martial and magical skullduggery. Edwards’s intriguing worldbuilding and appealing characters set the stage and pique the reader’s interest for sequels. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (June)
“Jaw-dropping worldbuilding, fluent prose, and an equal blend of noir and snark make for that most delicious of fantasy adventures, an out-of-this-world tale that feels pressingly real. A smart and savvy joy.”
— A. J. Hartley, New York Times–bestselling author of the Steeplejack series and the Cathedrals of Glass series
“Absolutely sensational. Edwards takes all the familiar pawns of urban fantasy and makes royalty of them in his debut. We’re invited into an alternative, historical world of staggering breadth and realization. The central characters, Rune and Brand, combine the loyalty of Frodo and Samwise with the sacrilege of a pairing like Tyrion and Bronn. When thrown in beside fascinating magical systems, breathtaking prose, and a relentless plot—this is the tale of Atlantean magic we didn’t know we wanted.”
— Scott Reintgen, author of Nyxia
