Warlords of Wyrdwood, RJ Barker
Warlords of Wyrdwood, RJ Barker
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Warlords of Wyrdwood

Author: RJ Barker

Narrator: Jude Owusu

Unabridged: 20 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 09/10/2024


Synopsis

"You fear the forest.. It is not foolish." His words rang like bells in the clearing, each face reacting to their din. "But the forest does not hate you, it does not hunt you. It simply does not care about you." 

From British Fantasy Award-winning author RJ Barker comes the second installment in a new epic fantasy trilogy set in a forest straight out of darkest folklore with outlaws fighting an evil empire and warring deities.   The Forester known as Cahan led the village of Harn in rebellion against the all-powerful, oppressive forces of the Rai. A great victory was won, but to avoid retaliation he must lead the people of Harn into the Wyrdwood. Cahan never wanted this responsibility, but fate has its eye on him, and without him the people will be helpless against the terrors of the forest.  But in the ground of Crua, a dark god is growing in power using the strength of decay. It is something new, something worse than the magics of the Rai, and it has its claws in Cahan. The people of Harn need him, and they will need new allies if they are to have any hope of surviving in the depths of the Wyrdwood.

Especially if the man they consider a hero, the Forester, Cahan Du-Nahere, is as lost to them as he believes.

Praise for Gods of the Wyrdwood
"An experienced novelist at the top of his game—this is Avatar meets Dune, on shrooms." —SFX 

"A sweeping story of destiny and redemption. Weighty, deliberate, tender and brutal, this is a big, wonderful book and an utterly involving read." —Daily Mail 

For more from RJ Barker, check out:

The Wounded Kingdom
Age of Assassins
Blood of Assassins
King of Assassins

The Tide Child Trilogy
The Bone Ships
Call of the Bone Ships
The Bone Ship's Wake
 

About RJ Barker

RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and 'a collection of questionable taxidermy'. He grew up reading whatever he could get his hands on, and having played in a rock band before deciding he was a rubbish musician, RJ returned to his first love, fiction, to find he is rather better at that. As well as his debut epic fantasy series, the Wounded Kingdom trilogy (Age of Assassins, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins) RJ has written short stories and historical scripts which have been performed across the country. He has the sort of flowing locks any cavalier would be proud of. RJ's novel The Bone Ships is the winner of the British Fantasy Society's Best Novel, aka the Robert Holdstock Award.


Reviews

Goodreads review by William on November 03, 2024

Absolutely loved book one, Gods of Wyrdwood, so I had to dive straight into book two. Warlords of Wyrdwood throws us right into the thick of it, back with the cast of characters (those who survived) who are now facing the dire consequences of the finale of the previous instalment.... In classic Barke......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on September 29, 2024

3.5 Stars This is a solid continuation of the fantasy series story that started with Gods of the Wyrdwood. This is a direct continuation of that book so I encourage readers to go back to the beginning. I enjoy this series because this author has a talent for making otherwise traditional stories feel f......more

Goodreads review by Marilyn on September 12, 2024

The uniqueness of Barker’s worlds are second to none. They are creepy yet fascinating. But also difficult to imagine! There are the most creative flora, fauna, and creatures in this world. At times I’m thoroughly afraid of the Forest, and then I’m comfortable with it. I truly love forest themed stor......more

Goodreads review by John on December 15, 2024

This book might be even better than the first one! Barker reminds me so much of China Mieville in the sense that he can write the strangest settings and monsters. Their imaginations are so unique. This story is multi pov instead of just being told through Cahan which I really enjoyed. Cahan and his p......more

Goodreads review by Jord on September 27, 2024

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, as well as being a release from one of my favorite authors. The story picked up right where we left off in the first book, and I was very thankful for the recap at the beginning of the novel. I was eager to jump back into the unique world of......more


Quotes

Praise for Gods of the Wyrdwood:

"This is a splendid fantasy work, full of RJ’s trademark invention. Highly recommended." —Adrian Tchaikovsky 

"At times lyrical and others stark in its depiction of battle, Gods of the Wyrdwood has all the delicious worldbuilding of a 90s fantasy you’d want to cut your teeth on but with characters & situations that resonate with modernity." —Linden A. Lewis, author of The First Sister

"A triple-threat of world-building, character and plot, Gods of the Wyrdwood represents the work of an experienced novelist at the top of his game. This is Avatar meets Dune—on shrooms." —SFX Magazine

Praise for RJ Barker:

"A vividly realized high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word." —Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons on The Bone Ships

"The Bone Ships is excellent. Aside from the standout writing, it's one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I've seen in years." —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

"I absolutely loved it. A whole lot of swashbuckling awesomeness by RJ Barker. He has crafted a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner for me." —John Gwynne, author of The Shadow of the Gods on The Bone Ships

"Blood of Assassins is a brilliant and often beautiful piece of literature from one of the most talented writers out there." Fantasy Faction

"Often poignant and always intriguing, Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller." —Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld on Age of Assassins

"Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book—a wonderful book, period—that should be at the very top of your to-read list." —James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost on Age of Assassins