The Thrice-Bound Fool is the epic, rollicking next chapter in the bestselling and “awesome as hell” (Nicholas Eames) fantasy adventure series that began with The Blacktongue Thief.
Professional thief and inveterate trickster Kinch Na Shannack has always enjoyed a good book. But now his life, and the future of all of Manreach, depends on him deciphering a very bad book indeed; a stolen, sentient tome that tries to kill him every time he opens it—and often when it’s closed.
Galva, veteran of the goblin wars and death’s sworn handmaiden, has vowed to protect Kinch while he mines the book for its dark magic and even darker secrets. She does so not for Kinch’s sake—though the cheeky bastard is growing on her—but because the book is the key to stopping the shadowy tyrants out to kill the queen she serves, and loves.
The ruthless, all-seeing Taker’s Guild dogs their every step, and thief and knight must flee the known world entirely if they hope to succeed in their mission. But trouble finds Kinch wherever he goes, and the pair may have traded the devil they know for horrors far darker and hungrier as they enter lands unknown.
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The series
In Blacktongue, Christopher Buehlman invites readers into a grim, vividly realized world where violence, magic, and twisted allegiances shape the fate of its characters. This dark fantasy series is a striking departure from typical tales of heroes and villains, weaving together intricate world-building with rich, morally complex characters who live on the edge of survival.
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At the heart of Blacktongue is a world plagued by the brutality of its past, where ancient powers still simmer beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. Buehlman’s atmospheric prose pulls readers into a place where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and every choice has a heavy cost. The story unfolds amidst a fractured society, filled with mercenaries, witches, and untrustworthy gods, all of whom have their own agendas, secrets, and vengeful plans.
The main character, Kormak, is a haunted warrior whose path is paved with personal loss and the ghosts of his past. His journey through this brutal landscape is one of survival, redemption, and discovering that sometimes the darkest battles are fought within. As he uncovers buried truths and encounters other unforgettable characters—each with their own sharp edges and unresolved desires—readers are taken on a tumultuous ride through a land where loyalty is a rare commodity and betrayal is a constant companion.
Buehlman’s trademark blend of horror and fantasy shines through in Blacktongue. The world itself feels alive, breathing with danger and lurking horrors that threaten to consume those who dare to traverse it. The magic is raw and dangerous, adding an extra layer of menace to the already treacherous landscape, and the characters are deeply flawed, making them both relatable and unsettling.
While the series explores familiar themes of revenge, power, and morality, its strength lies in how Buehlman challenges readers to reconsider the nature of these ideas. What happens when redemption is no longer possible? Is it worth seeking a cause that’s destined to fail? Blacktongue doesn’t offer simple answers. Instead, it leaves readers questioning the true cost of the choices made within its pages.
Dark, rich, and brimming with tension, Blacktongue is an unforgettable series for fans of gritty, immersive fantasy that doesn’t shy away from the horrors of its world—or its characters’ souls. With each twist and turn, Buehlman takes readers deeper into a realm where the consequences of every action are dire, and the story’s grip only tightens as it unfolds. Prepare yourself for a journey where the real monsters may not always be the ones you can see.
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