Sean Russell crafts compelling historical novels that immerse readers in the world of naval battles and mysteries. His style is rich with detailed descriptions and historical accuracy, bringing the past vividly to life. Russell focuses on character psychology and their moral dilemmas within settings rife with danger and intrigue. His works celebrate adventure and human resilience in the face of adversity.
Together in one volume, this two-part epic fantasy follows the new emperor of the ancient kingdom of Wa, Akantsu, and Lord Shonto, the brilliant leader whose influence could rally the Great Houses against the throne and wrestle the Empire from Akantsu's grasp.
Soldiers, sorcerers and feuding families enter the climactic final phase of a brutal civil war in the third novel of this epic fantasy trilogy. Two mighty families have been locked in savage combat, ravaging the kingdom both wish to rule. The chaos and bloodshed have spawned treachery within the ranks of both the Renné and the Wills, drawing the brave, the innocent, and the malevolent alike into the bloody conflict. But a far more terrible consequence has arisen from the carnage—for Death himself has been roused from his dread domain . . . and is preparing to walk the world again.
Treachery and deceit run rampant throughout a devastated land, spawning dark alliances in the terrible war ignited by the enmity of two families. But unbeknownst to all, there are others who truly control the beleaguered kingdom's destiny—combatants emerging from eons of restless sleep to renew the bloody terror of a battle older than time.
The cataclysm began more than a century earlier, when the King of Ayr died before naming an heir to the throne, and damned his realm to chaos. The cold-blooded conspiracies of the Renne and the Wills--each family desirous of the prize of rule--would sunder the one kingdom, and spawn generations of hatred and discord. Now Toren Renne, leader of his great and troubled house, dreams of peace--a valiant desire that has spawned hostility among his kinsmen, and vicious internal plots against his life. In the opposing domain, Elise Wills's desire for freedom is to be crushed, as an unwanted marriage to an ambitious and sinister lord looms large. As always, these machinations of nobles are affecting the everyday lives of the common folk--and feeding a bonfire of animosity that has now trapped an unsuspecting young Valeman Tam and two fortune-hunting friends from the North in its high, killing flames. But the closer Toren comes to achieving his great goal of uniting two enemy houses, the more treachery flowers. Nobles and mystics alike conspire to keep the realm divided, knowing that only in times of strife can their power grow. And perhaps the source of an unending misery lies before an old king's passing, beyond the scope of history, somewhere lost in a fog of myth and magic roiling about an ancient enchanter named Wyrr--who bequeathed to his children terrible gifts that would poison their lives...and their deaths. It is a cursed past and malevolent sorcery that truly hold the land, its people, and its would-be rulers bound. And before the already savaged kingdom can become one again, all Ayr will drown in a sea of blood