Book 1

The Justice of Kings

by Richard Swan

Published 22 February 2022

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'A stunning piece of modern fantasy writing' RJ Barker

'Utterly compelling, thoroughly engrossing and written with such skilful assurance I could barely put it down' Nicholas Eames

NO MAN IS ABOVE THE LAW

The Empire of the Wolf simmers with unrest. Rebels, heretics and powerful patricians all challenge the power of the imperial throne.

Only the Order of Justices stands in the way of chaos. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is the most feared Justice of all, upholding the law by way of his sharp mind, arcane powers and skill as a swordsman. At his side stands Helena Sedanka, his clerk and protégé, orphaned by the wars that forged the empire.

When the pair investigate the murder of a provincial aristocrat, they unearth a conspiracy that stretches to the very top of imperial society. As the stakes rise and become ever more personal, Vonvalt and Helena must make a choice: will they abandon the laws they've sworn to uphold in order to protect the empire?

Introducing an unforgettable protagonist destined to become a fantasy icon, The Justice of Kings is an unmissable debut where action, intrigue and magic collide.

Praise for The Justice of Kings

'A fantastic debut' Peter McLean

'The Justice of Kings is equal parts heroic fantasy and murder mystery . . . Richard Swan's sophisticated take on the fantasy genre will leave readers hungry for more' Sebastien de Castell

'Great characters, compelling and wonderfully written. A brilliant debut and fantastic start to the series' James Islington

'Totally addictive' Novel Notions

'A marvellously detailed world with an engrossing adventure from a unique perspective' K. S. Villoso

'Swan has built a dark and gritty world, filled it with beautifully written characters and lays out a master-crafted story to create an incredible book that you can't put down' FanFiAddict

'A brilliant book, with intrigue, excellent character arcs, a brutal magic system and a story I just could not put down' Grimdark Magazine

'Riveting . . . Swan crafts a strong, dynamic character in Vonvalt, and the twists will keep readers turning the pages' Publishers Weekly


Book 2

The Tyranny of Faith

by Richard Swan

Published 14 February 2023

'An absolutely unputdownable read' Grimdark Magazine

The Tyranny of Faith
is the epic sequel to the Sunday Times bestselling debut The Justice of Kings, where Sir Konrad Vonvalt - the most powerful and feared of the Emperor's Justices - must face down a growing threat to the Empire.


A Justice's work is never done.

The Battle of Galen's Vale is over, but the war for the Empire's future has just begun. Concerned by rumours that the Magistratum's authority is waning, Sir Konrad Vonvalt returns to Sova to find the capital city gripped by intrigue and whispers of rebellion. In the Senate, patricians speak openly against the Emperor, while fanatics preach holy vengeance on the streets.

Yet facing down these threats to the throne will have to wait, for the Emperor's grandson has been kidnapped - and Vonvalt is charged with rescuing the missing prince. His quest will lead Vonvalt - and his allies Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir - to the Empire's southern frontier, where they will once again face the puritanical fury of Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights . . . and a dark power far more terrifying than they could have imagined.

Praise for the Empire of the Wolf series

'Utterly compelling, thoroughly engrossing and written with such skilful assurance I could barely put it down' Nicholas Eames

'The Justice of Kings is equal parts heroic fantasy and murder mystery . . . Richard Swan's sophisticated take on the fantasy genre will leave readers hungry for more' Sebastien de Castell

'Great characters, compelling and wonderfully written. A brilliant debut and fantastic start to the series' James Islington

The Empire of the Wolf series
The Justice of Kings
The Tyranny of Faith
Empire of the Wolf #3 (coming '24)


Book 3

The Trials of Empire

by Richard Swan

Published 6 February 2024

The Trials of Empire is the epic conclusion to the bestselling Empire of the Wolf series, where Sir Konrad Vonvalt - the most powerful and feared of the Emperor's Justices - must finally face the dark powers that seek to detroy the Empire.

THE TIME OF JUDGEMENT IS AT HAND

The Empire of the Wolf is on its knees, but there's life in the great beast yet.

To save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt and Helena must look beyond its borders for allies - to the wolfmen of the southern plains, and the pagan clans in the north. But old grievances run deep, and both factions would benefit from the fall of Sova.

Even these allies might not be enough. Their enemy, the zealot Bartholomew Claver, wields infernal powers bestowed on him by a mysterious demonic patron. If Vonvalt and Helena are to stand against him, they will need friends on both sides of the mortal plane - but such allegiances carry a heavy price.

As the battlelines are drawn in both Sova and the afterlife, the final reckoning draws close. Here, at the beating heart of the Empire, the two-headed wolf will be reborn in a blaze of justice . . . or crushed beneath the shadow of tyranny.

Praise for the Empire of the Wolf series

'A stunning piece of modern fantasy writing' RJ Barker

'Utterly compelling, thoroughly engrossing and written with such skilful assurance I could barely put it down' Nicholas Eames

'A fantastic debut' Peter McLean

'Equal parts heroic fantasy and murder mystery . . . Richard Swan's sophisticated take on the fantasy genre will leave readers hungry for more' Sebastien de Castell

'Great characters, compelling and wonderfully written. A brilliant debut and fantastic start to the series' James Islington

'Totally addictive' Novel Notions

'A brilliant book, with intrigue, excellent character arcs, a brutal magic system and a story I just could not put down' Grimdark Magazine

'An absorbing fantasy murder mystery . . . I have been thoroughly hooked by this series and cannot wait for the next helping of political upheaval' Fantasy Book Critic

'Fantasy, mystery, drama, intrigue, action - The Justice of Kings has it all' Bibliosanctum

'One of those utterly compelling and believable books that begs to be read in one sitting. This is going to be one of the standouts of the year' British Fantasy Society

'Swan's debut is a thrilling epic fantasy with a murder mystery and supernatural twist that will delight fans of Sherlock Holmes. It certainly delighted me' Fantasy Hive

'Swan has built a dark and gritty world, filled it with beautifully written characters and lays out a master-crafted story to create an incredible book that you can't put down' FanFiAddict

The Empire of the Wolf trilogy
The Justice of Kings
The Tyranny of Faith
The Trials of Empire