It might be 2017, but the same old routine continues.  And so I quickly slip into my business suit and head back into the office to save a few innocent people. But while I try to fool myself into being excited about the promise of a new year and the continuation of the regular grind, deep down, I’m not, so I’m going to escape dreary reality by reading some great books.

Since my quest to finish several unfinished fantasy series is going so well, I see no reason to change direction.  And so this week I’m returning to a trilogy I let fall by the wayside a few years ago: Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.

For those you concerned I’m missing out on lots of great new books by my focus on yesterdays releases, please do not worry, because I’m also going to be trying to find time to read a new release as well:  Kings of the Wyld.

The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley.

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Series: Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne #1

Publisher: Tor Books (January 13, 2015)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 608 pages

The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father’s assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, renegade member of the empire’s most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

Praise for the book.

“Brutal, intriguing and continuing to head toward exciting events and places unknown.”―Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Epic adventure that ratchets up the action and muddies the waters, all while completely throwing all expectations out the window….We can’t wait to see what happens next.”―io9

“Book Two finishes on a knife-edge and where it goes from here is anyone’s guess.”―Fantasy Faction

“It’s rare that a book comes along and blows my frigging mind. It’s even rarer when an author can pull this off not once, but twice. Brian Staveley pulled this off. Hard.”―Lit Chick Hit List

“Superbly written, sublimely enchanting, utterly engrossing, grabs-you-by-the-throat-and-refuses-to-let-go, and then you’re a shell of a person once you’re finished. Brian Staveley is not only an invaluable new voice to the epic fantasy genre, and the literary world at large, but he’s on his way to being one of the greats.”―The Book Geek

“… a stunning follow-up to The Emperor’s Blades …” ― Beauty in Ruins

Purchase the book at Amazon.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Genre: Fantasy — Grimdark

Series: The Band #1

Publisher: Orbit (February 21, 2017)

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Length: 544 pages

GLORY NEVER GETS OLD.

Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best — the meanest, dirtiest, most feared crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.

Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk – or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay’s door with a plea for help. His daughter Rose is trapped in a city besieged by an enemy one hundred thousand strong and hungry for blood. Rescuing Rose is the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.

It’s time to get the band back together for one last tour across the Wyld.

Purchase the book at Amazon