Description
Seeking a better life, Ree and Javani have travelled west into the mountains, and left their pasts - and their troubles - behind. But new places bring new problems, and when they stumble across a lone traveller under bandit attack, they make the mistake of lending a hand.
Forced to take refuge in the traveller's village, they quickly find allies among the lush, wooded hills. But then the true nature of the bandits is revealed.
With winter approaching and a vengeful company of mercenaries circling like wolves, Ree and Javani must uncover the secrets of this peaceful valley ... or risk the ruin of it all.
"Gritty, sharp, and yet criminally funny!" Sunyi Dean, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book Eaters
"Wragg's brand of fantasy deserves its own name: grassroots fantasy. Small in scale, large in heart, with underdog heroes you can't help but root for." Amber A. Logan, author of The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn
"A tale full of heart: heart warming, wrenching and stopping in equal measure. I love Wragg's wild, western-inspired world and its rabble of humorously and sensitively crafted characters, the kind that keep you company long after reading." Cari Thomas, Sunday Times bestselling author of Threadneedle
"A story about growing up, growing old, dreams, betrayal, greed and consequences, all wrapped up in a neat package of action and tied off with a perky bow of banter. I enjoyed hating the villain almost as much as I enjoyed rooting for Ree and Javani." Peter Newman, Gemmell Award-winning author of The Vagrant and The Deathless
Epic and outrageously funny fantasy, new for 2024
About the Author
Dave Wragg really got into writing stories just as he finished English GCSE, then took about twenty years to get back to it. In the meantime, he studied software engineering, worked in global shipping and technical consultancy, and once spent a year in the Foreign Office 'hiding in the basement'.
He currently does Software Odd Jobs around central London. In his vanishingly rare free time (when not working, writing, or enjoying the fruits of parenthood), he tries to consume as much digital entertainment as possible, as well as reading genre fiction and enjoying the odd board game. Some of them are very odd indeed.
Dave lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, two small daughters and two smaller cats.
Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE COMPANY OF THE WOLF:
"Full of whip-smart dialogue, brutal action and brilliant characters. It is barnstorming modern fantasy and not to be missed."
Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors
"The magicless fantasy I didn't know I needed."
Amber A. Logan, author of The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn
'Book 2 of the Tales of the Plains sees higher stakes, a bigger vista, a badder villain, a taller Javani, and even more classic Wragg one-liners. A fun-filled romp with a serious heart and a cast of loveable rogues.'
Anna Stephens, author of the Godblind trilogy and Songs of the Drowned
'Diamond wit, blade-sharp dialogue and a cast of characters so compelling I'd give my right hand to save them were they real... this is not just Wragg's best book, but everything I adore about modern fantasy in one volume.'
Ed Crocker, author of Epic fantasy trilogy Lightfall
PRAISE FOR DAVID WRAGG:
'Reminds me of Abercrombie's THE BLADE ITSELF'
Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD
"A grimdark, no magic, thriller-paced western fantasy, filled with outrageous dark humor and razor-sharp prose...It is just so much fun."
Sunyi Dean, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book Eaters
'Refreshing and entertaining, like a cross between Nicholas Eames and Joe Abercrombie; THE BLACK HAWKS is simply a joy to read'
Peter McLean, author of PRIEST OF BONES
'Wragg captures the classic fantasy spirit of adventure and exploration, wraps it with stabbed backs and cannibals and gifts it to you on a bed of action'
Ed McDonald, author of BLACKWING
'Check out THE BLACK HAWKS - it's full of fun characters, mercenary antics, twists, turns, and contains my favourite fantasy lemon'
Peter Newman, Gemmell Award-winning author of THE VAGRANT and THE DEATHLESS
Book Information
ISBN 9780008533779
Author David Wragg
Format Hardback
Page Count 400
Imprint HarperVoyager
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Series Tales of the Plains
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 159mm * 28mm