Snakewood

Name: Snakewood
Brand: Hachette Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Adrian Selby
ISBN: 9781478960935

Author: Adrian Selby

Narrator: Joe Jameson

Unabridged: 16 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 03/15/2016

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic, Action & Adventure

Synopsis

An epic fantasy like no other, Adrian Selby's debut takes an unblinking look at the price we pay for our pasts, the art of war and the people who make it their business. Enter a violent world of revenge and bloody combat with characters you'll never forget.

They called them Kailen's Twenty, a legendary band of ruthless mercenaries who gave no quarter. Living only by the code of steel, blood and coin, and aided by fightbrews that gave them the edge in battle, whoever met their price won.

Now, broken up and seemingly forgotten, they are being hunted down, one by one.

Drawn from multiple accounts compiled by a scholar investigating the legendary group's demise, who is also the son of one of the Twenty, Snakewood is fantasy at its most inventive and rewarding.

About Adrian Selby

Adrian Selby studied creative writing at university before embarking on a career in video game production. He is a Tolkien fanatic and an online gaming addict, and lives with his wife and family on the south coast of England. You can find Adrian on Twitter, tweeting as @adrianlselby.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookwraiths on March 19, 2016

Reviewed at Bookwraiths. Once they were a band of mercenaries who shook the pillars of the world through cunning, alchemical brews, and cold steel. Whoever met their price won. Now, their glory days behind them, scattered to the wind, and their genius leader in hiding, they are being hunted down an......more

Goodreads review by Althea on March 25, 2016

I've been hearing quite a bit of buzz about this debut... Grim! Grim! Grim! Dark! Dark! Dark! Seriously, this makes most fantasy described as grimdark look like a sunny and cheery laugh riot. This book is bitter and brutal and nasty. Also, kind of disturbing, for those who care about things like bodi......more

Goodreads review by Ed on April 25, 2017

This is a book that’s going to challenge you and push you. Grimdark hardcore fans will lap this up, but if you're looking for a light hearted romp, this isn't it. I’m going to cut directly to the chase on this and explain why this novel is worth your time: Snakewood does what many attempt, and almost......more

Goodreads review by Richard on December 05, 2018

Short update after finishing the read. I thought it would be interesting to leave the earlier comments and just add here. Three primary points: 1) the story does get more enjoyable once we get more locked onto a couple of protagonists; 2) this book is very ambitious, which is something I respect the......more

Goodreads review by Mark on June 14, 2019

I have struggled with with this book, parts were very well written and really enjoyable, it was the backward and forward in the storyline which I felt was unnecessary. Also the author has created an entire book of characters who have no likeable qualities in this story each one of them was as bad as......more

Quotes

"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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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