The Winter Road

by Adrian Selby

Overview

The brutally powerful story of a daring warrior traveling a path that might bring salvation to her people. . .or lead her to ruin. For fans of Mark Lawrence, Andrzej Sapkowski, and Joe Abercrombie.

The Circle — a thousand miles of perilous forests and warring clans. No one has ever tamed such treacherous territory before, but ex-soldier Teyr Amondsen, veteran of a hundred battles, is determined to try.

With a merchant caravan protected by a crew of skilled mercenaries, Teyr embarks on a dangerous mission to forge a road across the untamed wilderness that was once her home. But a warlord has risen in the wilds of the Circle, uniting its clans and terrorizing its people. Teyr's battles are far from over . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316465885
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	11/13/2018
Pages:	496
Sales rank:	288,930
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Adrian Selby studied creative writing at university before embarking on a career in video game production. He worked for several big-name studios as a producer, before settling down to more conventional work in IT project management. He is a Tolkien fanatic, and online gaming addict, and lives with his wife and family on the south coast of England.

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2018
Readers seeking a lengthy grimdark tale will find plenty of pain and suffering in the trials of Teyr Amondsen, former mercenary turned merchant, as she endeavors to establish an ambitious trade route across the Circle of clan lands. She travels with fellow soldiers; her accountant lover, Aude, and his son; and a significant quantity of medicinal plants—many of which are performance-enhancing battle drugs—and the drudha who know how best to administer them. Their challenges include persuading multiple clans of the benefits of the road and winning over the mysterious Oskoro people who reside in the forest at the heart of the Circle. Teyr’s ambition and endurance are admirable, her goal is refreshingly mundane and pragmatic, and Selby has crafted a deeply imagined world. However, the unrelenting misery of her circumstances is exhausting, and the choice of an interwoven narrative of two timelines feels unnecessary. Even those drawn to bleak stories will find this one a little excessive. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Set in a brutal world of subtle magic, clashing empires, and commercial interests, this is an impressive fantasy debut. Selby demonstrates the command of style, character, plotting, and world building of a seasoned author."—Booklist on Snakewood


"Betrayal and retribution epitomize Selby's epic fantasy/thriller debut, set in an Earth-like, barbaric, drugged-up society reliant on plant-based narcotic concoctions for addictive potions and deadly poisons. His detail-heavy, conversational dialogue in memoir/journal design and his militant, Berserker-ish characters keep pages turning. Perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie."—RT Book Reviews on Snakewood

"Not your typical grimdark fantasy....While it's a complex tale, this is also an immensely readable one, and should appeal to fans of the immersive world-building of Brandon Sanderson. Selby constructs his world on a personal, visceral level, making sure we feel everything that happens to the narrators."—BarnesandNoble.com on Snakewood


"Original and effective ... relish the well-choreographed action scenes."—Library Journal on Snakewood


"I give it nothing but the highest recommendation."—Grimdark Magazine on Snakewood


"Contemporary and grimdark as it comes."—British Fantasy Society on Snakewood


"Absolutely fascinating and incredibly original."—Sense of Wonder on Snakewood


"Wears its grimdark on its sleeve ... a thrilling tale of adventure, betrayal, triumph and loss."—Interzone on Snakewood


"Grim mercenaries and badass alchemists brought to life by a bold, assured storyteller."—Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant, on Snakewood


"A lot to enjoy, especially if you are a fan of dark, gritty, old-soldier stories."—Fantasy Faction on Snakewood


"Uniquely dark and gritty fantasy. An intriguing debut."—Bibliosanctum on Snakewood

From the Publisher

11/15/2018

After recovering from her time as a mercenary during the war, Teyr Amondsen wants nothing more than to put danger behind her and create a trade route through the war-torn lands in the hopes that the levies she collects will enrich and benefit her people as well as introduce them to the larger, more civilized world. But the intended road is planned to run 500 leagues over mountains, plains, and bogs, to say nothing of through the lands of people who maintain old enmities and grudges following the conflict. Chief among those enemies is Khiese, a warlord and leader of the whiteboys, who raid and murder all who stand in the way of his kingdom building. In spite of the violence and mayhem, the real story is the love that Teyr holds for her kin and the surety she maintains that she can and must create a better life for them. VERDICT Selby has crafted a complex and dynamic novel, though the multiple plot lines, vast quantities of minor characters, and shifting time frames can be challenging to follow. The letters written between Teyr and husband Aude are the best part.—Jane Henriksen Baird, formerly at Anchorage P.L., AK

Library Journal

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