Service at the Red Rooster Inn leaves much to be desired. The innkeeper, Darin, has a scowl for every new face. The homebrewed ale seems to grow less palatable with each new batch. The barmaid, Evie, only seems to work when wealthy young men are around, and the old witch Seraphina ensures that's not too often. As for Big Tom, well, everyone learns right quick to stay on the bouncer's good side. But there's a reason everyone at the Red Rooster crew bad is at their job. By night, they're the best team of con artists in the Old Queendom. When a stranger shows up offering a hefty sum to steal a shipment of imperial dreamwine, Darin knows he should refuse. But thanks to a string of bad luck, he owes money to the Gray Dame, the local crime boss. The pay-out from this job will get him square and then some. It might leave enough to explore the promises of power that silver whispers to him. Of course, they'll have to steal the dreamwine first. It's the most precious substance in the Old Queendom. Never duplicated, never stolen. But there's a first time for everything.
About the AuthorDan Koboldt is a geneticist. His popular blog series "Science in Sci Fi, Fact in Fantasy", has led to two writing how-to guides from Writer's Digest books: Putting the Science in Fiction and Putting the Fact in Fantasy. He is also the author of the Gateways to Alissia trilogy, and creator of the sci-fi adventure serial The Triangle.
Reviews"This epic fantasy about a crew of misfits with just a touch of magic and heartbreaking backstories is a rollicking good time of a read. Readers who fell for Christopher Buehlman's
The Blacktongue Thief are going to be head over heels for Koboldt's latest."
- Library Journal"Equally lighthearted and action-packed high fantasy.... Koboldt keeps the pace flying through the ensuing daring heist. Readers will hope to see more of Darin and company in future installments."
- Publishers Weekly
Book InformationISBN 9780857669940
Author Dan KoboldtFormat Paperback
Page Count 408
Imprint Angry RobotPublisher Watkins Media Limited