Available in bookstores everywhere on September 1st (the audiobook had a production delay, but I will post as soon as I know that release date)
The Great Extermination has begun.
In the Capitol, Grand Inquisitor Omand Vokkan hatches a plot to kill every member of the untouchable caste in all of Lok, down to the last man, woman, and child. As a member of the Order of Inquisition, Vokkan has no official say in the creation of Law, but he has powerful allies willing to do his bidding. Through them, he has convinced the Judges that the genocide will be swift, complete, and without complication. Nothing is farther from the truth.
Lord Protector Devedas has sworn to uphold the Law. Once, he and the traitor Ashok Vadal had been like brothers. Now, he hunts Vadal and the Sons of the Black Sword, heretics and rebels who seek to live outside the rule of the Law. All Devedas must do is find and kill his best friend and order will be restored to Lok.
The rebels seek the secret kingdom spoken of by the Prophet Thera, a paradise where water is pure and food plentiful, where there are no castes, where the people rule themselves, and are not slaves to the Capitol. Ashok Vadal is not sure he believes in such a Paradise, but he—along with his allies—do seek refuge in the rebellion’s hideout in Akershan. But Vadal, a former High Protector who has turned his back on the corrupt Law, will not merely wait meekly, hoping that fleeing to Akershan will spare the rebellion from the clutches of the Great Extermination. No, if it’s a war the Capitol wants, Vadal, who has faced down gods and demons, will be all too willing to give it to them.
About House of Assassins:
“Correia piles on the intrigue, action, and cliffhangers in the invigorating second Saga of the Forgotten Warrior epic fantasy. . . . Correia also weaves in elements that question the value of belief and the cost of giving authority to those who find more profit in preying on the weak. . . . Brisk fight scenes, lively characters, and plenty of black humor continue to make this series a real pleasure.”—Publishers Weekly
About prequel Son of the Black Sword:
“This book has everything I like in fantasy: intense action scenes, evil in horrifying array, good struggling against the darkness, and most of all people—gorgeously flawed human beings faced with horrible moral choices that force them to question and change and grow.”—Jim Butcher, creator of the New York Times best-selling Dresden Files
“Best-selling fantasy author Correia casts a compelling spell with this India-influenced series opener. . . . Correia skillfully sets in motion this story of plots within plots, revealing complex, sympathetic characters and black-hearted villains with equal detail and insight. Full of action, intrigue, and wry humor, this exciting series launch promises many more thrills to come.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Fans who like Correia’s fast-moving style will be pleased with the plethora of action scenes, and epic fantasy readers interested in delving into a new universe should be equally satisfied. A solid choice for admirers of Brent Weeks and Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series.”—Library Journal
“Correia is, above all, a storyteller, and he weaves a unique and entertaining tale. Without question, his action sequences pop on the page, his magic system has a nice wrinkle, and he has the foundations laid out for some excellent character growth as the series continues. . . . [A] definite hit.”—Bookreporter
“The lore here is fascinating and well told. I enjoyed learning the history of the world and the legend of Ramrowan. The politics are just complicated enough to feel real without being too difficult to follow. Where the book truly shines, however, is in the characters. All are well drawn and distinctively voiced.”—SFCrowsnest
“I loved the book, it was great, fast paced, with wonderful characters, and also a lot of wonderful scenes that screamed to be painted.”—Larry Elmore, legendary, award-winning artist, and cover artist for Son of the Black Sword.
“Son of the Black Sword: Saga of the Forgotten Warrior tells of what happens after the war with the gods, when demons were cast out and fell to the world to nearly destroy these unstoppable beasts until the gods sent a hero to save them. Centuries have passed since this event and the people have regulated these events to legend. One Ashok has been chosen to be a protector with a powerful weapon in hand, uncovering those who still practice old ways and are potential dangers to the order – but when he discovers all his efforts have been based on a lie, everything’s about to change. A powerful epic fantasy evolves into a solid, compelling read.”—Midwest Book Review
Being delivered tomorrow. Then, if I’m smart, it will sit in the box until the weekend, because if I start reading it I WILL NOT STOP.
Will be scooping it up ASAP, but waiting for the audio before I start reading: I want the ‘full experience’.
No estimates about the audio timeframe? Weeks? Months?
I’ve only read the other’s through Audible. Hoping the audio version comes out soon.
My kids enjoyed the last two books (AND Grimoire Chronicles… AND MHI… AND Marko Kloos’s Big Space Kablooie series) via audiobook format during our interminable commute times to and from school.
But there is no commuting now. We are all trapped in the Long Dark Zoom Call of the Soul.
So it is well that there is no audiobook yet, but some day, O happy day! Some frabjous day we will again be trapped in our four wheeled cages, and we will need to be amusingly and partly diverted from the autonomic task of not running into the car in front of us while marinading in the the redolent fumes of its tailpipe, and we will be in dire need of audiobooks once again.
“…the Long Dark Zoom Call of the Soul.”
OMG. If I could give you an updoot for that turn of phrase. I LOL’ed for real.
Also, I am totally stealing that.
And my boss is on vacation at work, so I can’t take a couple days off to binge read! Waaaaa!
Thanks Larry, you write the best stories! 🙂
If your boss is on vacation, will anyone know if you bring a book to work and do a bit of reading during the quiet moments? Just asking.
LOL! Since I’m working from home, probably not. But they would be likely to notice a severe reduction in productivity. This was one that I couldn’t put down once I started reading, so I had to force myself to strictly keep it “out of my work area”.
Now that I have finished it. Holy Crap that was awesome! So begins the (trying very hard to be patient) wait for the next installment.
Just finished the one I was reading. Yours is up next! Yay!
I found out the 1991 Russian film “Loaded with Death” features a Hind done up to look like a Jayhawk. By pure concidence, it greatly resembles how MHI’s helicopter is described (painted like a medical helicopter, weapon pods removed).
Perfect timing, I go back over the road on Weds.
Can’t wait to kill the next 50ish hours on an audible rerun.
When will the audio version be released?
I was hoping to snag the audio today, but I guess I’ll have to wait a bit. I’m in no rush, though. Better to have it good quality than rushed. Looking forward to listening to this whole series in one go once it’s out.
Wow. Got Destroyer of Worlds delivered to my Kindle yesterday and couldn’t put it down. This is awesome work – a fascinating world and the character growth is amazing. I love this series – can’t wait for Book 4 now!
I take it that this isn’t a trilogy any more…
I think it stopped being a trilogy around the second book. 😀
LOL. Got that right. Way too many loose ends. And this one not only left a bunch of them hanging but introduced even MORE loose ends. On the bright side, that means we get more books about Ashok & Co, though!
purchased today
My copy was delivered yesterday. Will start it as soon as I finish my third read-through of the Dead Six trilogy.
Bought two copies, one for my son.
My only regret is normally I buy my signed copies from Uncle Hugo’s and they no longer exist. Burnt to the ground in a mostly peaceful protest. Or is that phrase trademarked by CNN?
There are the castless protesters and hidden in their shadows the violent masked inquisitors.
Just finished reading Destroyer of Worlds and loved it! Thank you, Mr. Correia!
So what’s up with Tim Gerard Reynolds? I hear the delay in the audiobook is because he’s been sick. He’s a great narrator. I’d hate to lose him.
Any update on the audiobook?
No. As soon as I know anything I’ll post about it.
The regional B&N has it! Stocked in Sci-fi instead of fantasy. *shrug* At least it’s there. 🙂
Just finished the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. I will hit the one thing I disliked right up front. I thought this was supposed to be a trilogy and was disappointed it didn’t end – I do like stories that actually finish.
That out of the way, the story flowed nicely and was interesting throughout. We see more plots develop and start to find out the real goal of Ormand and some other villains. Keta felt interesting for a change, and I hope to see more of him. Very strong and well told battle at the end. Overall, well worth my time and money – so thanks.
Read it.
Write faster.
Agree.
Just finished it. Need more!
(Kidding, I have a pile of books that need reading so I can have some patience.)
Fantastic read, the whole last quarter is phenomenal.
Any update on the audible release?
So, not a trilogy. Now I must be sad because the story isn’t done.
On the other hand, not a trilogy. So I can be happy because there’s more Ashok-y ass kicking to come.
I’m not schizophrenic. I am.
Just finished the book last night, and nothing clever to say. It was a great, thought provoking read.
Burned through it in less than 24 hours (including sleep). I put aside an Agatha Christie novel for that.
The ending made me pump my fist.
Took the liberty of posting a review at Amazon. You may cautiously infer I did not say it sucked.
When Tim Gereard Reynolds gets back in his home studio could you go ahead and have him record “THE TESTIMONY OF THE TRAITOR RATUL” as well as book 3? I will buy it full price whatever… I love this series but I also love audiobooks they make my commute a delight and this series is one of my favorites that I can re listen to again and again.
Bought it!
My daughter and I got to meet you at Half Price Books in Dallas when you did the House of Assassins tour. Any thoughts about a grand “make up” tour for all your pandemic publishing when this craziness is finally over?
Larry was a head of the game, we now have people who are worshiping the law. More or less
https://twitter.com/0raetlabora1/status/1307155465126711296
Just finished this book. I really enjoyed it! Thank you for your wonderful stories!
Any update on the audiobook release date?
I am currently listening to The House of Assassins for the 4th time and it is killing me that The Destroyer of Worlds is released but not on Audible – yet.
So, any suggestions on ways to placate my family when I break down and buy a text copy of the book and the drop off the face of the planet while I read it?
At this point, I figure it’s inevitable.
+1 to this comment, it cannot come soon enough!
Larry, any word on the audio book yet? Been saving a credit for it.
I’ll post as soon as I have a date.