Three of Swords (Empire Asunder Book 1)

"The world Brandt creates is rich enough to ensure the reader is happy to spend time in any part of it. The tropes may be familiar, but they are executed with aplomb. Fans of George R. R. Martin and his imitators will enjoy this brutal saga."—Kirkus ReviewsWhen the last kingdoms of men are doomed by an evil a thousand years in the making, three unexpected heroes embark on legendary journeys to save their world.Prince Nicolas is devoted to the life of a Swordthane, an exalted order of warriors who place honor and skill above royalty. But when his own father betrays him to the enemy, he finds his destiny irrevocably intertwined with cutthroat imperial politics and an unavoidable civil war.Commander Jenaleve is a princess who discarded a pampered palace life for the glory of the battlefield. By contrast, low-born Private Yohan has nothing but a talent for fighting. Caught in the midst of a savage invasion, the two of them contend with an unstoppable enemy and the harsh mountain winter with little hope for survival.Housethrall Jak, the humblest of servants in the remotest of villages, discovers a dark side to his tiny community. As the rising tide of reawakened evil threatens to consume all he holds dear, a fettered life of servitude becomes a desperate quest for knowledge and power.Their world engulfed in chaos, humble champions arise to battle the forces of destruction...with the survival of humanity hanging in the balance.What readers are saying:"I’m really invested in the characters, and the world building is wonderful." (Amazon)"An impressive piece of storytelling... Left me moved and contemplative." (Amazon)"The first thing that struck me was the character building - you can almost believe the author actually knows these people." (Goodreads) Read more