Book 1

We Are The Dead

by Mike Shackle

Published 8 August 2019

The first book in The Last War series: a debut epic fantasy full of crunching revolutionary action, twisted magic, and hard choices in dark times.

The war is over. The enemy won.

Jia's people learned the hard way that there are no second chances. The Egril, their ancient enemy, struck with magic so devastating that Jia's armies were wiped out. Now terror reigns in the streets, and friend turns on friend just to live another day.

Somehow Tinnstra - a deserter, a failure, nothing but a coward - survived. She wants no more than to hide from the chaos.

But dragged into a desperate plot to retake Jia, surrounded by people willing to do anything to win the fight, this time Tinnstra will need to do more than hide.

If Jia is to get a second chance after all, this time she will need to be a hero.

With all the grit of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence and Ed McDonald, this is fantasy with the sharpest of edges.

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'The next Game of Thrones' Glen Cook, author of The Black Company

'Tarantino crossed with David Gemmell' Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

'A powerful debut' Gavin Smith, author of The Bastard Legion


Book 2

A Fool's Hope

by Mike Shackle

Published 3 December 2020

'One of the best fantasy novels of the year' Novel Notions

'Probably my favourite book of the year' The Chronicler

'One of the best books I've read this year' Starlit Book

The sequel to the darkly fantastic WE ARE THE DEAD: with more unflinching action, A FOOL'S HOPE sees Jia's revolutionaries dig in their heels as they learn that wars aren't won in a day.


War takes everything.


From Tinnstra, it took her family and thrust her into a conflict she wanted only to avoid. Now her queen's sole protector, she must give all she has left to keep Zorique safe.

It has taken just as much from Jia's revolutionaries. Dren and Jax - battered, tortured, once enemies themselves - must hold strong against their bruised invaders, the Egril.

For the Egril intend to wipe Jia from the map. They may have lost a battle, but they are coming back.

If Tinnstra and her allies hope to survive, Jia's heroes will need to be ready when they do.

With more bone-crunching action, tough choices and impossible odds, fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence and Ed McDonald will find something to love in this series.

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THE LAST WAR

Book One: We Are the Dead


Book 3

Until the Last

by Mike Shackle

Published 21 July 2022

THE TIME HAS COME.
SEKINOWARI - THE LAST WAR - HAS ARRIVED.

The breakneck conclusion to the trilogy that started with We Are the Dead. To beat the ultimate evil, sometimes the price is more than you can pay . . .

The war with the Egril has changed Tinnstra forever. A coward no more, she'll go to any length to defeat every last one of her enemies.

Zorique has grown into her powers. It's time for her to lead her army into Jia and spearhead the fight for her homeland.

But at what cost? The Egril emperor Raaku - the Son of Kage himself - is waiting for them. And he intends to destroy Zorique, Tinnstra and all their allies.

They will need to put everything on the line if Jia hopes to see the dawn.

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PRAISE FOR THE LAST WAR:

'Like Tarantino crossed with David Gemmell' Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

'Dark, brutal, wonderful' Nick Martell, author of The Two-Faced Queen

'A must-read for all fans of the genre' The Chronicler

'Heart-hammering' Novel Notions

'Staggering, marvellous and gripping' Grimdark Magazine

'An adventure that's rich in darkness and bloodshed' SFX

THE LAST WAR
We Are the Dead
A Fool's Hope
Until the Last