Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays (5): 5 Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of #SFFFridays

The first month of Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays was so much fun and I can't wait to continue on with the rest of this year! For this month I have some great stuff lined up and can't wait to share it with you!

Breakdown for the month...

February's Theme: Epic Fantasy

February 3: 5 Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

February 10: Guest Post from Emily @ Emily Reads Everything

February 17: Review of HALF A KING by Joe Abercrombie

February 24: Interview with Steven Erikson

10 Best Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

THE AXE AND THE THRONE

Author: M.D. Ireman

Series: Bounds of Redemption #1

Publisher: JayHenge

Publication Date: October 15, 2014

Summary:

It is a fool's errand and Tallos knows it, but against his own better judgment and the pleading of his wife, Tallos has committed himself to a voyage north. His lifelong friend's eldest sons are said to have been taken by Northmen, a raiding people ill-reputed for their savagery. The boys are already dead, Tallos knows, and in that dark place of grim reasoning he wishes only to find their corpses quickly so he can fulfill his promise and return to his wife. Instead, he finds something far worse. 

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

THE EMPEROR'S BLADES

Author: Brian Staveley

Series: Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Date: January 14, 2014

Summary:

Book one in an epic fantasy of intrigue and empire, for fans of George R. R. Martin and Douglas Hulick.

The circle is closing. The stakes are high. And old truths will live again . . .

The Emperor has been murdered, leaving the Annurian Empire in turmoil. Now his progeny must bury their grief and prepare to unmask a conspiracy.

His son Valyn, training for the empire’s deadliest fighting force, hears the news an ocean away. He expected a challenge, but after several ‘accidents’ and a dying soldier’s warning, he realizes his life is also in danger. Yet before Valyn can take action, he must survive the mercenaries’ brutal final initiation.

Meanwhile, the Emperor’s daughter, Minister Adare, hunts her father’s murderer in the capital itself. Court politics can be fatal, but she needs justice. And Kaden, heir to an empire, studies in a remote monastery. Here, the Blank God’s disciples teach their harsh ways – which Kaden must master to unlock their ancient powers. When an imperial delegation arrives, he’s learnt enough to perceive evil intent. But will this keep him alive, as long-hidden powers make their move? 

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

THE LEOPARD MASK

Author: Kaoru Kurimoto

Series: The Guin Saga #1

Publisher: Vertical

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Summary:

The Guin Saga is epic heroic fantasy in the smae vein as Robert E. Howard's Conan, the Barbarian. More than a hundred books strong and growing, the saga has sold more than twenty-five million copies in Japan. Vertical will publish the first five installments that comprise "The Marches Episode" arc. 

In a single day and night of fierce fighting, the Archduchy of Mongaul has overrun its elegant neighbor, Parros. The lost priest kindgom's surviving royalty, the young twins Rinda and Remus, hide in a forest in the forbidding wil marches. There they are saved by a mysterious creature with a man's body and a leopard's heas, who has emerged from a deep sleep and remembers only his name. Guin.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

OBSIDIAN AND BLOOD

Author: Aliette de Bodard

Series: Obsidian and Blood #1-3

Publisher: Angry Robot

Publication Date: June 26, 2012

Summary:

A massive fantasy omnibus containing all three novels in the Obsidian and Blood series:

SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD

Year One-Knife, Tenochtitlan - the capital of the Aztecs. The end of the world is kept at bay only by the magic of human sacrifice. A priestess disappears from an empty room drenched in blood. Acatl, high priest, must find her, or break the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead.

HARBINGER OF THE STORM

The year is Two House and the Mexica Empire teeters on the brink of destruction, lying vulnerable to the flesh-eating star-demons - and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the Protector God's power. The council is convening to choose a new emperor, but when a councilman is found dead, only Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, can solve the mystery.

MASTER OF THE HOUSE OF DARTS

The year is Three Rabbit, and the storm is coming...

The coronation war for the new Emperor has just ended in a failure, the armies retreating with a mere forty prisoners of war - not near enough sacrifices to ensure the favor of the gods. When one of those prisoners of war dies of a magical illness, ACATL, High Priest for the Dead, is summoned to investigate.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters

THE DRAGON'S PATH

Author: Daniel Abraham

Series: The Dagger and the Coin #1

Publisher: Orbit

Publication Date: April 7, 2011

Summary:

All paths lead to war...

Marcus' hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody's death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires some unorthodox steps.

Cithrin is an orphan, ward of a banking house. Her job is to smuggle a nation's wealth across a war zone, hiding the gold from both sides. She knows the secret life of commerce like a second language, but the strategies of trade will not defend her from swords.

Geder, sole scion of a noble house, has more interest in philosophy than in swordplay. A poor excuse for a soldier, he is a pawn in these games. No one can predict what he will become.

Falling pebbles can start a landslide. A spat between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player rises from the depths of history, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon's Path-the path to war. 

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

What are some of your favourite epic fantasy novels?

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