"(A) book that isn't short on action or imagination and the setting is an interesting change of pace, so check it out!" — Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns, Prince of Fools
"Entertaining and exciting: Silent City is the start of a series I'll certainly be following with interest." — Laura M Hughes, author of Danse Macabre
It has all the elements you expect from fantasy: magic, battles, power-struggles and impossible odds keeping you gripped.” — A Rambling Reviewer
It’s been a long time since a book made me swear out loud in horror... This is a story about politics, faith, betrayal and the loss of innocence, and I for one will be eagerly looking forward to a sequel.” — Set the Tape
Refreshingly original” — SFX Magazine
Both bloody, and bloody well written.” — Fantasy-Faction
Matthews has written an addictive page-turner full of magic and political intrigue.” — Adrian Selby, author of Brother Red
03/29/2021
Matthews (Silent City) launches his Six Kingdoms series with a page-turning dark fantasy that kicks off with the sudden death of the Emperor of Sudrim while he’s away on a mission. From within the imperial palace, General Bordan, the leader of the Empire’s army, oversees the operation to return the Emperor’s body to his family, and with it the amulet “which contains his soul and wisdom” to be passed down to Sudrim’s next ruler. Meanwhile, apprentice magician Kyron co-leads the convoy escorting the Emperor’s remains. But enemies from within and without stand in the way, among them assassins who aim to dispatch the royal family and tribesmen whose lands the convoy must cross. After two members of the royal family are slain in the palace, a battle erupts between the imperial army and the traitors attempting to hijack Kyron’s caravan and steal the amulet. Interweaving Bordan’s and Kyron’s narratives, Matthews builds suspense with hints of treason and treachery among the Empire’s nobility. Though it takes some time to acclimate to Matthews’s visceral world, the plot’s surprising twists and turns will wow fantasy fans. This is an impressive series opener. Agent: Jamie Cowen, Ampersand. (June)
Full of tension, intrigue, and action” — Fantasy Book Nerd
Corin Hayes' adventure in Silent City is an altogether more visceral first-person adventure set in a far future where humanity has fled beneath the waves to live in undersea cities. The story is packed with action from the first page which has our hero preparing for a beating to the last where our hero is... (spoilers, as Riversong would say).” — Fantasy Hive
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"A cracking read that will burn the candle in the night." — Aurealis
"A magnificent, thoughtful, highly readable account, full of political intrigue and dripping with potent, dark atmosphere. This is a must read for fantasy fans who enjoy political machinations." — Bookworm Blues
"Damn good fun, intriguing as hell, different and exciting, I devoured this book." — Dyrk Ashton, author of Paternus
"Matthews delivers visceral descriptions of battle, the cut and thrust of gladius and pila, the shouldering of shields, the smell of blood and fear – and weaving through this, the delicate nets of magical constructs that can still snap, inflame or explode." — The Fantasy Hive
"It had plenty of twists and turns, and I was on the edge of my submarine pilot seat once or twice. The ending left lots of room for more adventure but wrapped up this particular part of the tale. It was very well done. I like Corin’s sense of humour too, so that was a plus." — Super Star Drifter
"Truly stellar world-building, which combines all the griminess of cyberpunk with the majesty and terror of the sea." — Paper Plane Reviews
"This is fantasy at its finest." — Grimdark Magazine
"Matthews delivers on the bigger picture stakes" — British Fantasy Society
Corin, as a character, has been put through the wringer quite a bit and you feel for him or I certainly did. He’s awesome!” — Rapture in Books
08/13/2021
Matthews (The Stone Road) tells the tale of a magic-laced Roman-like empire on the cusp of disaster: the Empire finds itself without an emperor, and two men end up with the fate of thousands in their hands as they try to fulfill their missions. Bordan, an aging General, must protect the heir apparent as those who seek the power of the throne begin to plot around them. Kyron, an apprentice magician, must escort the body of the emperor through hostile territory or risk losing the wisdom of the emperors of old before it can be transferred to the new heir. The novel alternates between Bordan's and Kyron's points of view as they try to determine the fate of the Empire. The short chapters take some time to pull the reader in, but once they're caught in the momentum, they'll be hard pressed to stop turning pages. VERDICT Older teens and adults will enjoy the novel's political intrigue and struggle to survive, which are reminiscent of George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" or a slightly less fantastical version of Jim Butcher's "Codex Alera" series.
