PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and a collection of questionable taxidermy, odd art, scary music and more books than they have room for. He grew up reading whatever he could get his hands on, and has always been 'that one with the book in his pocket'. Having played in a rock band before deciding he was a rubbish musician, RJ returned to his first love, fiction, to find he is rather better at that. As well as his debut epic fantasy series, the Wounded Kingdom trilogy (Age of Assassins, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins) RJ has written short stories and historical scripts which have been performed across the country. He has the sort of flowing locks any cavalier would be proud of.
Age of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut -- Jen Williams, author of THE COPPER PROMISE Age of Assassins is a beguiling story of action and intrigue combined with a poignancy and humour that are as sharp as any blade -- Jon Skovron, author of HOPE AND RED Dead gods, dread magic and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun -- Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANT A dark-humoured game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides -- David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance series Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list -- James Islington, author of THE SHADOW OF WHAT WAS LOST With an original, immersive world that wouldn't let me go and a pair of assassins worth rooting for, Age of Assassins is a pleasure to read. I can't wait for more! -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGE Often poignant and always intriguing, Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller -- Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD Simply unputdownable . . . the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEW
