Barrier Lands
2 primary works
Book 1
Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin
She has no name and no history, but she has a power greater than the Empire has ever known.Thanks to her special gift Judah has enjoyed a privileged life, being raised alongside Gavin, the son and heir to Lord Elban's vast empire. But as they grow Judah comes to realise that while Gavin is being groomed for his future role, she has no true position, and no hope of ever travelling beyond the castle walls. Lord Elban has plans for Judah - for all of them - but to him, she's nothing but a pawn. And he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
But he's not the only one with plans. Outside the castle wall - in the starving, desperate city - is a healer with his own secret power and his own plans for the empire . . . and Judah.
The girl who started life with no name and no history will soon uncover more to her story than she ever imagined.
An epic tale of greed and ambition, cruelty and love, this deeply immersive novel is about bowing to traditions and burning them down. ___________
What people are saying about The Unwilling:
'Fantasy at its most sublime' ERIN MORGENSTERN
'An epic fantasy novel with ingenious, thrilling twists and turns' KELLY LINK
'Brilliantly executed. The Unwilling is about sharing joy, and sensing fear and cruelty, and caring beyond ourselves' VANITY FAIR
'Suspenseful: magical, wonderfully written and never predictable . . . An essential addition to the all epic fantasy collections' BOOKLIST
Book 2
Deeply immersive, this penetrating tale of magic, faith and self-determination is the brilliant sequel to Kelly Braffet’s The Unwilling
Judah the Foundling chose freedom over betrayal when she leaped from the top of the castle tower. Now she finds herself wandering an unknown forest, far from everything and everyone she loves. For the first time in her life, she’s beyond the great Wall that surrounds Highfall castle; for the first time, she’s alone. Away from the Seneschal, the power behind the throne; away from Nate Clare, the House Magus who was her teacher, friend, betrayer. Away from her foster brother, Gavin, with whom she has a mysterious bond that has kept them together—and kept her alive.
But Judah isn’t free. Fiercely sought by those who believe she holds the key to unlocking the power trapped in the world, she must learn to navigate the dangers of an unfamiliar place. She knows that somewhere, Gavin is in peril. To save him, she not only must learn to use the new power she discovers inside herself, she must survive.