"High fantasy for me is one of those genres where I have a love-hate relationship. Comer's book definitely falls into the love category. Full of lush descriptions and beautiful settings, you feel just like you are right there experiencing everything along with the characters."- Dani, Amazon
Description:
Published: May 16th, 2017
The year is 1882 Scotland, and the auld alliance betwixt king and fey has long been forgotten. Men of science, backed by barons of industry, push the boundaries of technology. When Sir Walter Conrad discovers a new energy source, one that could topple nations and revolutionize society, the race to dominate its ownership begins. But the excavation and use of this energy source will have dire consequences for both humans and fey. For an ancient enemy stirs, awakened by Sir Walter’s discovery.
Outcast half-fey Effie of Glen Coe is the Empire’s only hope at averting the oncoming disaster. Effie finds herself embroiled in the conflict, investigating the eldritch evil spreading throughout the Highlands. As she struggles against the greed of mighty lords and to escape the clutches of the queen’s minions, her comfortable world is shattered. Racing to thwart the growing menace, she realizes the only thing that can save them all is a truce no one wants.
EXCERPT
“What regiment are these soldiers from?” asked Effie. “They don’t appear Scottish.”
Murray’s lips twitched, almost in a grin. “Does it make a difference to you?” She tried to think of a response, but her tongue tied. He couldn’t contain his mirth. “I believe you already know the answer. You strike me as a rather intelligent woman.”
“Don’t let your general hear you say that.”
“The intelligent part, or the use of the word woman?”
Both, she thought. She was woman enough in most men’s eyes, yet her blood was different, and that kept her from ever truly being human. At least in the eyes of people like Edmund Glover and Sir Walter Conrad. And Murray. That thought shouldn’t bother her any more than the others, but it did.
“Newcastle, then,” she said.
“Northumberland Hussars brought up to quell the fey disturbances,” Murray confirmed.
She smirked. The volunteer cavalry unit was well-known for putting down overly-ambitious unions of miners and fishermen. In 1831, it had even fired on its own countrymen. “To protect the interests of the Hostmen, you mean. It is their money that drives this sudden interest in the Highlands, isn’t it? For centuries they have been nothing but barons of the coal trade. Why do they now back a man like Sir Walter Conrad?”
Murray blinked, an expression of surprise crossing his face. “Surely you’ve heard the chatter in the coffeehouses? Coal has had its day. Its supremacy won’t last forever, and the Hostmen want to keep their true monopoly, that on energy. Money and energy drive the world, and there isn’t one without the other nearby.”
“So they fund research into alternatives.”
“And work against other sources they can’t dominate.” He raised an eyebrow. “Namely, stardust.”
The insinuation was clear—the fey were a problem the Hostmen could not control. The hatred of her entire race boiled down to a handful of men who wanted their heirs to live as opulently as they had. A flare of rage swept through her so intense it brought tears to her eyes.
About the author:
Craig Comer is the author of the gaslamp fantasy novel THE LAIRD OF DUNCAIRN and co-author of the mosaic fantasy novel THE ROADS TO BALDAIRN MOTTE. His shorter works have appeared in several anthologies, including BARDIC TALES AND SAGE ADVICE and PULP EMPIRE VOLUME IV. Craig earned a Master’s Degree in Writing from the University of Southern California. He enjoys tramping across countries in his spare time, preferably those strewn with pubs and castles.
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