The holidays are over; normalcy, and its daily grind, has reasserted itself.  That is good in some ways and bad in others, but I’m hoping it will, at least, allow me to return to a predictable and regular reading schedule.  So with that in mind, I’m beginning this year by reading yet another great fantasy series which I’ve missed out on: Powder Mage!

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan

Genre: Fantasy – Flintlock

Series: Powder Mage #1

Publisher: Orbit (April 16, 2013)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 545 pages

The Age of Kings is dead . . . and I have killed it.

It’s a bloody business overthrowing a king…
Field Marshal Tamas’ coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas’s supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces.

Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.

But when gods are involved…
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should…

In a rich, distinctive world that mixes magic with technology, who could stand against mages that control gunpowder and bullets? PROMISE OF BLOOD is the start of a new epic fantasy series from Brian McClellan.

Praise for the book.

“Promise of Blood is a hugely promising debut. Guns, swords, and magic together? What more could you want? How about tense action, memorable characters, rising stakes, and cool, cool magic? Not only the finest flintlock fantasy I’ve read, but also the most fun. Brian McClellan is the real thing.”―New York Times bestseller Brent Weeks

“This book is just plain awesome. I found myself enjoying every moment of it. Innovative magic, quick-paced plot, interesting world. I had a blast.”―New York Times bestselling author, Brandon Sanderson

“Brian McClellan is an explosive powder keg of imagination with an expertly-plotted fuse. The stories he tells are the stories we’ll be reading for years to come.”―Sam Sykes on Promise of Blood

“The world of the privileged sorcerers and the strange abilities of the powder mages who can manipulate gunpowder are just as well drawn in this captivating universe.”―RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars)

“McClellan’s debut packs some serious heat…A thoroughly satisfying yarn that should keep readers waiting impatiently for further installments.”―Kirkus (Starred Review)

“McClellan neatly mixes intrigue and action…in a society where new forces like labor unions, gunpowder-armed soldiers, and explosion-causing ‘powder mages’ clash with traditional magics, more, and beliefs.”―Publishers Weekly

“Gunpowder and magic. An explosive combination. Promise of Blood is the best debut I’ve read in ages.”―Peter V. Brett

“I love the world Brian McClellan builds, Powder Mages with flintlock pistols against white-gloved Privileged for the fate of a nation and more. Promise of Blood feels like the start of something amazing.”―Django Wexler

“Brings a welcome breath of gunpowder-tinged air to epic fantasy.”―Anthony Ryan

About the author.

Brian McClellan is an avid reader of fantasy and a former student of Brandon Sanderson. When he is not writing, he loves baking, making jam from fruit grown in northeast OH, and playing video games. He currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife.

Purchase the book at Amazon.