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Summary
Summary
The city of Ro Canarn burns. With their father's blood fresh upon the headsman's sword, Lord Bromvy and Lady Bronwyn, the last scions of the house of Canarn, face fugitive exile or death.
In the court of Ro Tiris, men fear to speak their minds. The Army of the Red marches upon the North. Strange accidents befall those who dare question the King's new advisors. Those foolish enough to speak their names call them the Seven Sisters: witches of the fire god; each as beautiful and as dangerous as a flame.
And, called from the long ages of deep time by war and sacrifice, the children of a dead god are waking with a pitiless cry.
All that was dead will rise.
All that now lives will fall...
Author Notes
A.J. Smith spent twelve years devising The Long War cycle. When not living in the Lands of Ro, he works in secondary education.
A.J. Smith spent twelve years devising The Long War cycle. When not living in the Lands of Ro, he works in secondary education.
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
As war brews in the human world, a deeper, more sinister game is afoot in the lands of the gods. Told from the viewpoints of a variety of characters on all sides of the conflict, Smith's decidedly epic debut, which layers a plethora of religious overtones onto fascinating worldbuilding, entices and entertains despite some flaws in execution. Duke Hector of Canarn planned to break away from the Kingdom of Ro, but a traitor reveals his plans and the king's elite church knights reclaim his lands. Hector's children are declared traitors to the crown and must flee, aided only by a handful of friends. They and others attempt to figure out exactly what role the Seven Sisters, feared enchantresses, play in these political plots, even as their gods make demands in what appears to be a celestial chess match. With flowing action and a plot that is varied and enticing, the novel stands as a testament to careful, effective characterization. However, frequent repetition stands merely to lengthen an already robustly detailed tome, and the constant switches in perspective make it hard to reconcile all the different threads of story. Agency: Diane Banks Associates (U.K.). (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* The inhabitants of the lands of Ro worship the Stone Giant, who they call the One God, while the Ranen to the North worship the Ice Giant Rowanoco. Jaa, the Fire Giant, is the god of the southern Karesia people. These three gods were the victors in the Long War against their fellow giants, and the people of these regions live in an unsteady peace with each other. Forces beyond those of mortal men, however, conspire to break the peace. The Seven Sisters, witches with the power to bend men to their will, want to raise one of the giants defeated in the Long War. They manipulate armies, knights, and kings in their quest. As the first book in the Long War series, the novel's beginning narrative is a bit slowed down by the mechanics of the complicated world building. Once the world and many characters have been established, the author picks up the pace (and death count) in this ambitious story. The numerous fights and rousing battles, including one with Krakens, are definitely not for the squeamish reader. But fans of George R. R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie will find much to like in this bloody, grimdark fantasy and will eagerly await the next installment in the series.--Pearson, Lynnanne Copyright 2016 Booklist