Gauntlet and the Burning Blade

For 312 years the rotstorm has blighted the ruins of the Ferron Empire.

Born of an unholy war between gods themselves, it scours the land with acid mists and deadly lightning, spawning twisted monstrosities from its nightmarish depths.

On the Stormwall, the men and women of the Stormguard maintain their vigil - eyes sharp, blades sharper - defending the Undal Protectorate from the worst of the rotstorm's corruption.

But behind the stormfront, something is stirring, kindling the embers of an ancient conflict and a plan to kill a god.

Will Stormguard steel be enough to meet the coming tempest?

***

As the children of the storm carve a bloody swathe across the Northern Marches, the whitestaffs - the Protectorate's healers and sages - have fled, retreating to their island citadel of Riven.

Their withdrawal has weakened the realm, and worse, their absence is a death sentence for Floré's daughter Marta. Skein-sick, Marta wastes away from the terrible magic she has inherited from her father and only the whitestaffs have the knowledge that might save her.

When Flore is dispatched to reason with the whitestaffs, to bring them back into the fold, she seizes the chance. Her mission could save both the protectorate and her child. But on the island of Iskander, caged and chained, she will only discover the worst betrayal.

About the author

Ian Green is a writer from Northern Scotland with a PhD in epigenetics. His fiction has been widely broadcast and performed, including winning the BBC Radio 4 Opening Lines competition, winning the Futurebook Future Fiction Prize, and being shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the British Fantasy Awards. His debut fantasy trilogy, The Rotstorm (2021–2023) was published by Head of Zeus, beginning with the Sunday Times top 15 bestseller The Gauntlet and the Fist Beneath. His short fiction has been published by Londnr, Almond Press, OpenPen, Meanjin, Transportation Press, The Pigeonhole, No Alibi Press, Minor Lits, and more.

@ianthegreen www.ianthegreen.com

Summary

For 312 years the rotstorm has blighted the ruins of the Ferron Empire.

Born of an unholy war between gods themselves, it scours the land with acid mists and deadly lightning, spawning twisted monstrosities from its nightmarish depths.

On the Stormwall, the men and women of the Stormguard maintain their vigil - eyes sharp, blades sharper - defending the Undal Protectorate from the worst of the rotstorm's corruption.

But behind the stormfront, something is stirring, kindling the embers of an ancient conflict and a plan to kill a god.

Will Stormguard steel be enough to meet the coming tempest?

***

As the children of the storm carve a bloody swathe across the Northern Marches, the whitestaffs - the Protectorate's healers and sages - have fled, retreating to their island citadel of Riven.

Their withdrawal has weakened the realm, and worse, their absence is a death sentence for Floré's daughter Marta. Skein-sick, Marta wastes away from the terrible magic she has inherited from her father and only the whitestaffs have the knowledge that might save her.

When Flore is dispatched to reason with the whitestaffs, to bring them back into the fold, she seizes the chance. Her mission could save both the protectorate and her child. But on the island of Iskander, caged and chained, she will only discover the worst betrayal.

Foreword

A demon-dark fantasy that opens amid the bones of a dead god in a world wracked by the aftermath of an ancient conflict.

Climate catastrophe, animist gods and a legion of mutants and monsters. And one woman against them all.

Additional text

PRAISE FOR THE GAUNTLET AND THE FIST BENEATH:

'Excellent, vivid worldbuilding... A gripping story with cinematic detail' British Fantasy Society.

'An exciting and action-packed fantasy novel... Some disturbing and interesting ideas give the book a twist, but it also feels comfortably like a fantasy novel that any fan of the genre can enjoy' SF Book Review.

'Green's worldbuilding is unique and creative... This book appeals to both enthusiasts of high fantasy as well as the more everyday fantasy reader. Epic action, deep world-building, and colourful characters make for a magical debut, forged in compelling inspirations... There's plenty more magic to come' The Publishing Planet.

'The unrelentingly dark tone enables Green to maintain a high level of suspense throughout. Fans of Anthony Ryan will welcome this and its sequels'

Product details

• Authors: Ian Green, Green Ian
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2023
• EAN: 9781800244177
• ISBN: 978-1-80024-417-7
• No. of pages: 400
• Series: The Rotstorm
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; Adventure, Fiction & related items, FICTION / Fantasy / Epic, Fiction, FICTION / Science Fiction / Military, Historical fantasy, Fiction and Related items, Adventure / action fiction