Heart of the Wyrdwood

“That thing in Tiltspire, it keeps Cahan like a trophy. It says to us, here is your strongest and I have killed him.”

Cahan Du Nahare is lost, taken by a dark god whose tendrils reach throughout the world, intent on its destruction. Those who followed Cahan are spread across the land, desperate and lost now fate has turned against them. The Reborn warriors are toys for the enemy, the warrior Dassit, forestal Ania and monk Ont are drawn to the dangerous north but do not know why. Udinny is forced into the company of a woman who desires nothing more than her death and the Rai, Sorha, leads a dwindling band on a mission even she believes is doomed to failure. Only the trion Venn remains hopeful, slowly growing in power and trusting in the path of their god.

But maybe all is not lost. The great Wyrdwoods of Crua may be ancient and slow to act, but something in them is waking.

Wyrdwood is coming.
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• Praise for Gods of the Wyrdwood:
  
  "This is a splendid fantasy work, full of RJ’s trademark invention. Highly recommended." B>Adrian Tchaikovsky 
  
  "At times lyrical and others stark in its depiction of battle, Gods of the Wyrdwood has all the delicious worldbuilding of a 90s fantasy you’d want to cut your teeth on but with characters & situations that resonate with modernity." B>Linden A. Lewis, author of The First Sister
  
  "A triple-threat of world-building, character and plot, Gods of the Wyrdwood represents the work of an experienced novelist at the top of his game. This is Avatar meets Dune—on shrooms." B>SFX Magazine
  
  Praise for RJ Barker:
  
  "A vividly realized high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word." B>Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons on The Bone Ships
  
  "The Bone Ships is excellent. Aside from the standout writing, it's one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I've seen in years." B>Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author
  
  "I absolutely loved it. A whole lot of swashbuckling awesomeness by RJ Barker. He has crafted a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner for me." B>John Gwynne, author of The Shadow of the Gods on The Bone Ships
  
  "Blood of Assassins is a brilliant and often beautiful piece of literature from one of the most talented writers out there." I>Fantasy Faction
  
  "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." B>Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld on Age of Assassins
  
  "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 on Age of Assassins