About the Author
James Maxwell is a number one bestselling author of eight epic fantasy novels. The Enchantress (May 2012), his debut novel and the opening to his bestselling Evermen Saga was originally self-published before its bestselling success secured him a publishing deal with 47DegreesNorth. James has followed this with hugely successful Shifting Tides series, starting in May 2016 with Golden Age, followed by Silver Road (Nov 2016), Copper Chain (Aug 2017) and now the epic conclusion, Iron Willi which is out this week.
James grew up in the scenic Bay of Islands, New Zealand, before moving to Australia at the age of eight. As a child, James would devour fantasy and science-fiction classics, his love for books translating to a passion for writing, which he began at the age of eleven. He moved to the UK in 2005 with his wife, fellow author Alicia M. Kaye and they have lived in Thailand, Mexico, Malta and Austria to pursue their writing, experiences which have strongly inspired James’ writing. James also has a strong interest in history, and undertakes extensive historical research into ancient civilisations to inform his novels.
About the series
War has come to Xanthos. Across the sea, the insane King Palemon’s lust for gold has driven him to build an army of dragons that will soon destroy everything in their path. Neighbouring royalty, Prince Dion and Princess Chloe, refuse to be helpless pawns in a clash of nations, and strive to bring their kingdoms together to fight this impending threat. When they find themselves hopelessly outmanned and outgunned, their only hope is to go in search of the secretive and powerful race of shapeshifters called the Eldren who have long since disappeared into the mysterious Wilds.
All the while, an ancient, terrible power rises from the ashes to once again claim all-consuming power and domination over Xanthos. The world faces a war to end all wars, and enemies once fighting over gold must now become allies to face this rising evil, less everything they hold dear be destroyed and their whole world be plunged into darkness.
As a world-spanning conflict begins, a king is betrayed, a prophecy is fulfilled, and our royal heroes learns secrets about their pasts that will change their own and the future of Xanthos.
Extract
Dion brought his horse to a sudden halt. From his position on a high mountain trail, he had a clear view of the village of Brook Farm in the valley below. He watched as dozens and dozens of red-scaled dragons descended toward the houses. He could almost hear the screams of the folk fleeing in all directions. The dragons tucked in their wings to plummet with speed. Jaws bit down on unarmed peasants. Soldiers astride the dragons thrust spears or hacked down with axes and swords. This village, almost identical to so many others in Xanthos, had no stronghold for people to flee to, no soldiers to fight back. It wasn’t war, it was butchery.
‘Dion?’ Cob’s concerned voice broke through his reverie.
Dion blinked and the dragons were gone. He realized he was clutching the reins tightly. The village was as it had been before: a small settlement of thatched houses with smoke snaking up from chimneys. Nearby, fields of wheat made a patchwork of the lowlands, while goats and sheep milled on the green hills. The people who lived in the houses and worked the fields led simple lives, centered on the family and the flow of the seasons. They were the lifeblood of Dion’s kingdom. Their efforts fed the urban population in the city. If war came . . . when war came . . . he didn’t know how he would protect them.
James Maxwell is the bestselling author of The Evermen Saga and The Shifting Tides series, and has previously ranked in the top 5 bestselling authors on Amazon worldwide. The final book in The Shifting Tides series, Iron Will, is out now in paperback with 47North, Amazon Publishing. Find out more about James and his books here.
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