Halfheart - by Linden A Lewis (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the acclaimed author of the "wonderful" (R. F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author) First Sister trilogy, a stand-alone fantasy novel set in a realm where gods devour each other to fuel their power, following a crew of unlikely allies on a desperate quest to stop the god of War from conquering the known world.

How are gods made?

Years ago, the god of War took everything from aging mercenary Mordrena Halfheart--her homeland, her family, her god, even her magic. So when offered a place in the coalition of mages who aim to kill the War, she digs her nails and teeth into the chance at revenge. But the War is not the only god whose path is intertwined with Halfheart's. Another has been lurking in her shadow for years, desperate to manipulate her fate to serve his own purpose.

As Halfheart and her unlikely allies journey to find the one weapon that might turn the tides of the War's unrelenting conquest, long-buried secrets are revealed, loyalties tested, and the fate of the known world is left hanging in the balance.

An exploration of loss, grief, and power, Halfheart is a wild, soulful, structurally inventive, and immersive standalone that proves Linden A. Lewis understands the epic fantasy genre just as well as they do space opera.

Review Quotes

"A fresh, fast-paced revenge fantasy."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"A richly immersive and emotionally poignant story of devotion, gods, and destiny."-- "Library Journal, starred review"

"Halfheart is a propulsive and vivid fantasy, for fans of anyone who's ever loved a disparate band of underdogs, soaked in grief and trauma, getting together to do the impossible. Confident and beautifully realized, this is a book whose characters will live on in my head and heart forever."--Andrea Stewart, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Drowning Empire Trilogy

"A smart, fast-paced fantasy with genuine heart and depth." --James Islington, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Will of the Many

"Clever, beautifully written, and brutal--Halfheart is a fantasy with a whole lot of heart. Perfect for fans of Godkiller and lovers of inventive takes on gods and monsters."--L.R. Lam, Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of Dragonfall and Pantomime

"Riveting and unputdownable, a must-read for fans of The Raven Scholar." --C.N. Kuster, author of The Bloodweaver

"Visceral, vulnerable, and beautifully crafted, Halfheart is the kind of richly-imagined fantasy that makes writers long to write and readers yearn for more. Lewis's razor-sharp prose cuts to the heart of grief and explores just how immeasurably love and loss transform us. An incomparable standalone."--Linsey Miller, author of That Devil, Ambition

"Halfheart is a mind-bending epic of a book with its bombastic action, visceral worldbuilding, and narrative devices that leave you constantly on edge about everything you're being told. Every character shines and intrigues, particularly its protagonist Mordrena, an aging but battle-hardened mercenary who's equal parts tough as nails and heartbreakingly vulnerable. One of the greatest storytellers of our generation, Linden A. Lewis blows me away every time."--Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow

"I loved Halfheart's mix of genuine grief, anger and emotion clashing against these nigh-insurmountable mythic forces that warp and dominate the setting. Sublime in every sense of the word."--Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Dungeon Book

About the Author

Linden A. Lewis is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The First Sister trilogy and author of the upcoming stand-alone fantasy novel Halfheart. They became a writer after learning that tattooed lady at the circus was not a sustainable career path. They currently live in Madrid, where they enjoy LARPing, cosplaying, and being a servant to their cats. Find them on social media @LindenALewis and otherwise at LindenALewis.com.