Today is release day for Singers of the Sword Song by Steven. A McKay. The first in a brand new series (The Sword Song Chronicles).

Let’s celebrate by giving it the David’s Book Blurg once over!

Here’s the blurb!

When a desperate young soldier is pushed to breaking point, a series of shocking events will be set in motion that could change the world forever.

For thirty years war has raged across West Valkyros yet still there is no end in sight to the decades of death and destruction. In the aftermath of yet another bloody battle Wulfnoth, forced to serve in the elite Galnir infantry regiment since he was a child, attacks his own sergeant and deserts. Fleeing to the north, the frightened youth is joined on his travels by an experienced forester, and a beautiful singer they meet in a tavern after a brawl. Together the companions journey through the villages, towns, and great cities of Nemea sharing adventures, their bonds of loyalty and love growing as Wulfnoth struggles to navigate life outside the army and find his place in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts, and seemingly endless new experiences.

Unbeknown to the friends, however, two deadly hunters are tracking their every move, intent on bringing the deserter to justice for his crimes. Just as Wulfnoth is discovering that playing music can be as rewarding as wielding a sword in battle, a shocking revelation will give his life a new purpose and intertwine his fate with that of the very people who seek to kill him.

Singers of the Sword Song is the first ever fantasy novel by bestselling author Steven A. McKay and will surely be devoured by fans of David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie, Raymond E. Feist, and Patrick Rothfuss.

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Review

Singers of the Sword Song is book 1 in a brand new series from the author of The Druid and The Heathen Horde!

McKay is well known for his works of historical fiction but now he’s taking the plunge into the world of fantasy!

Wulfnoth, a downtrodden solider decides he’s had enough, attacks his own sergeant and is forced to flee. To be fair though I don’t blame him!

Soldiers are sent to hunt him down and while trying to evade their efforts we meet a forester, who prefers to be called Greybeard.

Together they flee, Wulfnoth must evade retribution and the forester knows war will claim his home sooner rather than later!

Greybeard has a plan of sorts but nothing ever goes smoothly.

Luckily for Wulfnoth he finds distraction in the form of a beautiful singer called Chrysanthe!

Now without spoilers, the character development is vast with lots to attract the reader. Each have hidden pasts just waiting to be explored, some are just trying to forget the past, others go much deeper, none more so than Wulfnoth. McKay himself, a troubadour as he weaves this mesmerizing tale.

The book moves at pace, in a world of mythical monsters, murderous criminals, magical artefacts and so much more. I can really see this hitting the spot well for epic fantasy fans!

We also get introduced to some further characters who play their own part to perfection, Ampelios, Priapo, Ardgal, Muirren and Timon to name a few who stand out… I don’t think I’m giving too much away to say that there’s some good guys, some bad, some live.. some die..Each help shape Wulfnoth one way or another and I loved this fascinating cast.

Plot wise I loved the development, perfectly paced to keep you engaged and reading. It has everything I need, detail, growing connections, hints to the future, hidden truths.. it just works.

Singers of the Sword Song is high stakes, in an immersive world we’ve only just scratched. There’s a serious edge, you can see the fight to come and the potential for long-running narratives, and epic struggles against evil..

What really shines is you can tell the author had fun with this one.. it just flowed and his experience of writing historical fiction, along with his jaunts into the mysterious and supernatural really comes through.. I’m sure for the author it felt like a massive jump in genre but for me it felt like home, exactly what I’ve come to expect and love.. almost like it was meant to be.

5* EPIC!

To find out more or to grab a copy head to Amazon or ask your local book store to secure you a copy!!