Enter the fray in this luminous new adventure from Christopher Buehlman, set during the war-torn, goblin-infested years just before The Blacktongue Thief.
The goblins have killed all of our horses and most of our men.
They have enslaved our cities, burned our fields, and still they wage war.
Now, our daughters take up arms.
Galva ― Galvicha to her three brothers, two of whom the goblins will kill ― has defied her family’s wishes and joined the army’s untested new unit, the Raven Knights. They march toward a once-beautiful city overrun by the goblin horde, accompanied by scores of giant war corvids. Made with the darkest magics, these fearsome black birds may hold the key to stopping the goblins in their war to make cattle of mankind.
The road to victory is bloody, and goblins are clever and merciless. The Raven Knights can take nothing for granted ― not the bonds of family, nor the wisdom of their leaders, nor their own safety against the dangerous war birds at their side. But some hopes are worth any risk.
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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