Originally from London, Mike Shackle has called Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, New York and Dubai his home over the years before settling down with his family in Vancouver. In that time, he's sold washing machines, cooked for royalty, designed a few logos, and made a lot of ads. Ideally, he's happiest day dreaming over a cup of tea.
We Are the Dead is a fantasy novel that is able to blend the modern trends of dark fantasy with the magical styles of the past--SF Book We Are the Dead is a staggering, marvellous and gripping fantasy debut--Grimdark Magazine Like Tarantino crossed with David Gemmell . . . Absolutely splendid. Shackle has come up with something really special here, and I enjoyed it enormously--Peter McClean We Are The Dead is a book about finding sparks of hope amongst the ashes. It's about fighting back from oppression, surviving, and carrying on. There are no good deeds done here, no heroic chivalry, but there are people with reasons--Fantasy Hive An adventure that's rich in darkness and bloodshed.--SFX MAGAZINE Hooked from page one, We Are the Dead rattles along with the pace of a runaway bullet train. Original, engaging, flawed but very-human characters draw us into a world rent by war, a world of brutal occupation, tarnished honour and devastating magics. This is a powerful debut and Shackle is an author to watch--Gavin Smith, author of The Bastard Legion Likely the next Game of Thrones, and the best book I've read in several years. Erikson, Martin and Rothfuss are going to have to shove over and make room at the bar. A gem. Not one likeable character in the swamp but I still became totally emotionally engaged. I can't think how to tone down my enthusiasm--Glen Cook A masterpiece of a story about hope, resistance and fellowship--The Book Bag