Evil gods walk the land as armies prepare for war in the thrilling grimdark sequel to the fantasy debut Godblind.
In the besieged city of Rilporin, Commander Durdil Koridam orders that the city’s people must fight to the last rather than surrender to the surrounding armies of the Mireces and their evil Red Gods.
Outside Rilporin, the uneasy truce between King Corvus’s Mireces and the traitorous Prince Rivil’s forces holds, but the two armies are growing desperate to force a breach of the walls before the city’s reinforcements arrive.
Meanwhile, prophet Dom Templeson reaches Rilporin: the Red Gods have tortured and broken his mind, and he ends up in Corvus’s hands, forced to tell all his secrets. And what he knows could win the war for the Mireces.
Elsewhere, in Yew Cove, only a few survivors remain from a Rank of thousands of Rilporian warriors. Dom foresees the important role one of those survivors, Crys Tailorson, will take on as the events to come unfold. As Crys grows into his position as a leader, that role becomes clearer—and far darker. Will he be willing to pay the price to fulfill his destiny?
Praise for Darksoul:
“A worthy second installment . . . Stephens expertly avoids a midseries slump with elegant, evocative prose, intense action, and plenty of emotional twists, providing a story that her fans will find irresistible.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An enticingly dark fantasy sequel that’s sure to have readers excited for the story arc's conclusion.”—Booklist
“Darksoul is another thrilling entry in the Godblind series. The desperate tone gives way to breathtaking action. With Godblind and Darksoul, Anna Stephens firmly establishes her name in the genre.”—Grimdark Magazine
“An unrelenting, heart-hammering, merciless thrill ride . . . in Darksoul I can see [Stephens] maturing as a writer, refining her craft through leaner prose, wonderfully dynamic dialogue, and some lovely sensory descriptions.”—The Fantasy Hive
“I’ve seen comparisons between Darksoul and The Two Towers and I think that’s a really apt comparison. . . . a magnificent gripping read that I loved just as much as book one, and I cannot wait to find out what’s in store next.”—The Bibliophile Chronicles, 5/5 Stars
“My most anticipated book for 2018. I can categorically state: it did not let me down. . . . I am left once more in awe of Anna Stephens’ story telling genius. I am left in the belief that this is a trilogy which will forever haunt me and draw me back in.”—Bethan May Books
“I would compare [the Godblind series] to Game of Thrones for the unforgettable cast of characters and complex world-building (they also have a similar level of violence and profanity) but they stand on their own as a fantastic series. . . . it’s clear that Anna Stephens has masterfully manoeuvred the pieces into place for what looks to be an epic final book.”—Scorpio Book Dreams, 5/5 Stars
“Darksoul really captures war. It is dark, there are deaths aplenty and, even though there is a clear ‘good side’, there is no guarantee that they will win. . . . The series so far is rich and alive and I cannot wait, but also live partially in dread, to see what will unfold in the third and, I believe, final book in the series.”—Lost in a Daydream
“This is Grimdark as it should be. . . . A cracking sequel and certainly a contender for book of the year for me.”—Ebookwyrm’s BlogCave